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I added the label "metalIron" because the bridge is made with iron instead of steel. In fact, it uses cast iron as well as wrought iron. But cast iron can be used only for the compression members. Since this is a Pratt truss, the top chords and verticals are cast iron.
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HAER NJ,10-CLIN,1--3
3. GENERAL VIEW, LOOKING FROM NORTHWEST, SHOWING PIER - West Main Street Bridge, Spanning South branch of Raritan River, Clinton, Hunterdon County, NJ |
The Lowthorp Truss Bridge represents an early type of iron truss that dominated bridge construction from the 1850s to the 1870s. Fabricated in 1870 by William and Charles Cowin of Lambertville, New Jersey, the bridge follows the Pratt configuration in the arrangement of its trussing members. It is of composite construction, with all compression members made of cast-iron and all tension members made of wrought-iron. In the Pratt truss, the vertical posts and horizontal upper chord are in compression and are made of cast-iron; the diagonals and bottom chord are in tension and are made of wrought-iron. Cast-iron members and lower chord connections are based on truss bridge patents received by Francis C. Lowthorp of Trenton, New Jersey, during the 1860s and 1870s?
After 1870, engineers and fabricators favored bridges made exclusively of wrought-iron, as this material performed equally well whether subjected to tensile or compressive stresses. After 1890, wrought-iron was supplanted by the stronger material steel. Lowthorp Truss Bridge, one of few known surviving examples of this type, is representative of the short-lived era (20 years) of composite cast and wrought-iron bridge construction. The Lowthorp Truss Bridge has been in service for over 100 years with only minor modifications, thus attesting to the soundness of its design, quality of craftsmanship and care of maintenance.
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HistoricBridges
Nathan gives this bridge a rating of 10+10. |
A waterwheel without a flume looks naked. I am glad they added the waterwheel because that visually transforms an old building into a mill even if the top of the waterwheel is above the dam. The photo below by Manuel shows that the mill actually used a turbine.
This must have been part of the limestone quarry operation.
And these metal parts were obviously part of the mill. This confirms that the waterwheel we see today is just decoration. The mill used a turbine.
They evidently turn the mill into a haunted house for Halloween.
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