Document 35, p 8
| 3rdly, That not only from the faith of Mr Pickernels subsequent Borings but | ||||
| from the Proximity of the two Situations (not 1/3 the Breadth of the River | ||||
| asunder) it appeared in the highest degree probable that the same or some | ||||
| such Stratum of loose matter lay under the foundation of the Bridge built by | ||||
| Sir Walter Blackett; and was the Cause of its destruction: otherwise its sudden | ||||
| and total destruction in so short a space of time, was to Mr Smeaton totally | ||||
| unaccountable; who in the way of Curiosity for other business often carried | ||||
| him to Hexham had sometimes viewed the operations of that Bridge while | ||||
| it was Building: that Bridge having been in his Judgement at that time | ||||
| competently well founded to guard against Accidents, considering, in what | ||||
| manner it was done; when compared with the manner of founding on Gravel | ||||
| used by our forefathers; and which for Sir Walter Blackett was designed and under | ||||
| -taken at the risque of that ingenious and well experienced Builder Mr John Gott | ||||
| of Woodhall in the West Riding of the County of York, who for several years previous | ||||
| to that, had been undertaker of the Building and Repairs of the County Bridges | ||||
| in the said West Riding; and also Surveyor of the Rebuilding and Repair of the | ||||
| Navigation Works upon the Rivers Air and Calder; a Man rendered truly | ||||
| respectable, to all who knew him, from a long series of successful Experience in | ||||
| this kind of arduous undertakings; and who moreover previous to this | ||||
| undertaking at Hexham, had with great success and credit to himself, | ||||
| then undertaken and completed the New Bridge at Ferrybridge in Yorkshire | ||||
| which was done upon the selfsame principles, that he afterwards put in | ||||
| practice upon the Tyne; and which Bridge still stands unhurt upon the | ||||
| River Air (there also united with the large River Calder) to the praise of the | ||||
| skill of the worthy builder thereof. | ||||
| This person Mr Gott, being personally known to Sir Walter Blackett, | ||||
| as well as his Works; Sir Walter pitched upon him as the proper person to ensure | ||||
| success to his favorite project; and still more effectually to do it, he joined | ||||
| with Mr Gott, Mr Brown a very worthy and experienced Mason of the | ||||
| Neighbourhood, a person that had acquitted himself by many Works done | ||||
| 8 for | ||||
Note: Mr Smeaton's Memorial concerning Hexham Bridge, p 8
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Transcribed by CTW and KS