Preparations Forth Bridge

the bridge under construction

offices , stores erected arrol in connection bouch s bridge taken possession of new works, , expanded considerably on time. accurate survey taken mr. reginald middleton, establish exact position of bridge , allow permanent construction work commence.

the old coastguard station @ fife end had removed make way north-east pier. rocky shore levelled height of 7 feet (2.1 m) above high water make way plant , materials, , huts , other facilities workmen set further inland.

the preparations @ south queensferry of more substantial character, , required steep hillside terraced. wooden huts , shops workmen put up, more substantial brick houses foremen , tenements leading hands , gangers. drill roads , workshops built, drawing loft 200 60 feet (61 18 m) allow full size drawings , templates laid out. cable laid across forth allow telephone communication between centres @ queensferry, inchgarvie, , fife, , girders collapsed tay bridge laid across railway west in order allow access ground there. near shore sawmill , cement store erected, , substantial jetty around 2,100 feet (640 m) long started in 1883, , extended necessary, , sidings built bring railway vehicles among shops, , cranes set allow loading , movement of material delivered rail.

in april 1883, construction of landing stage @ inchgarvie commenced. extant buildings, including fortifications built in 15th century, roofed on increase available space, , rock @ west of island cut down level 7 feet (2.1 m) above high water, , seawall built protect against large waves. in 1884 compulsory purchase order obtained island, found available area enclosed 4 piers of bridge insufficient storage of materials. iron staging reinforced wood in heavily used areas put on island, covering around 10,000 square yards (8,400 m) , using on 1,000 tonnes (980 long tons; 1,100 short tons) of iron.