Document 35, P 22
| 74 | ||||
| nor did he ever appear disquieted by the disaster of One thousand seven | ||||
| hundred and seventy eight, or to the Expence of what Mr Smeaton had | ||||
| proposed as a necessary addition, tho’ at so considerable an addition | ||||
| as five or six hundred pounds as has been already stated. | ||||
| Thirdly respecting Mr Pickernel; whether he did to the best of his Power | ||||
| and knowledge execute to a reasonable and possible intent, what was | ||||
| directed by Mr Smeaton: and to this Mr Smeaton thinks it just to say | ||||
| as a Witness; that he always looked upon Mr Pickernel throughout | ||||
| the whole proceeding as a person particularly attentive to execute the | ||||
| Orders and directions given by him; and upon whose Capacity for | ||||
| that purpose he could safely rely, after having shewn him the mode | ||||
| of going about any new operation; and upon whose Reports of these | ||||
| operations he could also safely rely; and as the general Workmanship | ||||
| of the Bridge has been applauded by many, and discommended by | ||||
| none; it seems that there is only one point in which Mr Pickernel’s | ||||
| execution of Mr Smeatons Orders can be called in Question: and that is | ||||
| Respecting the driving down of the Cases of Piles round the Caisson Piers | ||||
| to a proper depth: it is therefore necessary to state this matter particularly. | ||||
| "Mr Smeaton’s written instructions were as follows "The length of | ||||
| "the Piles should conform to the depth of the water. I would not wish | ||||
| "the Sheeting Piles round the West end and the first Bay of the return | ||||
| "on each side, to go into the Ground more than 10 feet and if they | ||||
| "do not drive kindly must be contented with less. From thence each | ||||
| "Bay may be gradually less depth into the Ground; so that round the | ||||
| "down stream pointing 7 feet will be sufficient. If the Gage Piles drive | ||||
| "kindly they may be longer by Eighteen Inches or two feet than the Sheeting | ||||
| "but if not, they need not be above one foot longer." | ||||
| To the above in the course of the work Mr Pickernel reported that | ||||
| having driven the Piles of the 5th Pier from the North (which was the first | ||||
| to which the Casing was applied) that the Gage Piles went down when | ||||
| 21 well | ||||
Note: Mr Smeaton's Memorial P 22
Abbreviations are underlined like this Wm. and the expansion may be seen by moving the cursor over it.
| An entry outlined like this has a note which may be seen by hovering over it. |
Transcribed by CTW and KS