The Burlington Canal Bridges

David O'Reilly

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
481
4
18
scotto
07-17-2013, 11:33 PM

“From Charles Cooper's Hamilton's Other Railway
____________________________________________
At the canal, the new through-truss swingbridge was swung (by hand) for the first time on January 10, 1877. The 375 foot long riveted, wrought-iron superstructure was constructed for the H&NW by the Hamilton Tool Works at a reported cost of $23,000. The Hamilton Times proudly noted that "the construction of this bridge in Canada has circulated over $12,000 amongst the working population of the country", and added reassuringly that "the bridge will be eventually worked by an engine of 20 horse power which has been manufactured by Mr. Northey of this city". Five days later, the first engine tested the bridge by crossing and re-crossing it at different speeds, and making stops at random. Evidently all went well, and regular service across the bridge began the following month.
A couple pictures of the first railway Swing Bridge.

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz256/scotto2010/Bridge/Five Bridges/ATBrown_zps6f37db45.jpg
A of O, A T Brown Coll C302 3 0 21 5, courtesy Charles Cooper

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...es/HNWswingbridgeBurlingtonAO_zps34be22b5.jpg
A of O , A T Brown Coll C302 3 0 21 1, courtesy Charles Cooper.



__________________________________________

The original wrought-iron steam-powered railway swingbridge was replaced in 1902-03 by a new bridge with steel truss spans and a raised control cab. The new bridge, to be swung by electric power, was built on the site of the old one. "During the construction of the new steel bridge over the canal at Burlington, passenger and freight traffic between Hamilton and Burlington, via the Beach, has been suspended, the service being operated via Waterdown and Burlington Junction" (The Railway and Shipping World, June 1902). The new bridge was opened for traffic in the summer of 1903. Until 1930, only one of the railway swingbridge's two spans actually crossed the Canal, the other being a balancing span.

In 1896 the Dominion government began work on a highway swingbridge to connect the new road along the west side of the beach strip. This bridge had wooden sidewalks and a narrow lane for vehicles.When the Hamilton-Burlington radial electric railway (the HRER) reached the Canal in 1896, it negotiated the right to use it in exchange for providing the motor and the power to operate it. This swingbridge had a south-side pedestal, and it was asymmetrical because of the need to clear the lighthouse immediately to the east.


This road/radial swingbridge was replaced in 1921-22 by a single leaf bascule bridge, also based on the south (Hamilton) side. During its construction, the radial cars were diverted over the GTR track, and only pedestrian traffic was permitted across (which played havoc with the daily milk and bread deliveries of the day).
In 1930-31, the Canal underwent its final widening to 300 ft, at which time the railway swingbridge was relocated diagonally 52 ft to the southeast, with its pedestal on an artificial island between the channels. At the same time, another bascule leaf was built on the north side of the channel to complement the existing road bascule bridge. (The radial rails remained on the southerly bascule leaf until 1946, when their removal caused a balance problem that required the removal of three and a half tons of ballast concrete.)
On April 28, 1952, the north leaf of the road bascule bridge was damaged beyond repair when the laker W.E. Fitzgerald collided with it. It was never rebuilt, and a temporary bridge was installed to meet the south bascule. In 1962 the railway and the road were accommodated by means of a combination liftbridge, with the track now back on the alignment of the original railway swingbridge. At that time, the 1902-03 railway swingbridge, the 1952 temporary north side road bridge, the 1922 bascule leaf bridge, and the centre island in the channel were demolished.”

This page indicates that the 1896 road swing bridge was taken down in December 1920, but the bascule bridge wasn’t finished until July 1921.
http://www.cnr-in-ontario.com/Database/DisplayArticle.php?publicationID=6&record=388

the road swing bridge was located just to the west of where the bascule bridge was built, and swung to the east when opened. So presumably it was for this reason that it was torn down before the bascule could be built. But why wasn’t the bascule bridge built on the west side of the swing bridge?

And this page states that the Hamilton Radial Railroad had wanted to runs it cars over the GTR’s bridge during the construction of the bascule bridge, but the terms could not be agreed on.

http://www.cnr-in-ontario.com/Datab...n Beach&publicationID=6&railwayID=22&record=1
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
This page indicates that the 1896 road swing bridge was taken down in December 1920, but the bascule bridge wasn’t finished until July 1921.
http://www.cnr-in-ontario.com/Database/DisplayArticle.php?publicationID=6&record=388

the road swing bridge was located just to the west of where the bascule bridge was built, and swung to the east when opened. So presumably it was for this reason that it was torn down before the bascule could be built. But why wasn’t the bascule bridge built on the west side of the swing bridge?

And this page states that the Hamilton Radial Railroad had wanted to runs it cars over the GTR’s bridge during the construction of the bascule bridge, but the terms could not be agreed on.

http://www.cnr-in-ontario.com/Datab...n Beach&publicationID=6&railwayID=22&record=1
I assume there wasn't enough land to go any further west, also they could use the same road approaches.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
The Radial Railway didn't get permission to use G.T.R. tracks, from David's last link.

Work was begun on the new bridge early in Dec. 1920, the use of the old bridge being discontinued on Dec. 6. The old bridge has been taken down, and the piers have been removed to the extent necessary to permit construction of the new ones, excavation for which is in progress. This work, as stated above, is being done by the Canadian Engineering & Contracting Co., of Hamilton, which also removed the old bridge, and is to be finished by the first week of July. The superstructure contract has not yet been awarded. The Hamilton Radial Railway cars now run to the bridge from both directions, the passengers walking across the adjoining G.T.R. bridge, on a sidewalk specially built for that purpose.

http://www.cnr-in-ontario.com/Datab...n Beach&publicationID=6&railwayID=22&record=2
 

David O'Reilly

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
481
4
18
scotto
07-17-2013, 11:33 PM

“From Charles Cooper's Hamilton's Other Railway
____________________________________________
At the canal, the new through-truss swingbridge was swung (by hand) for the first time on January 10, 1877. The 375 foot long riveted, wrought-iron superstructure was constructed for the H&NW by the Hamilton Tool Works at a reported cost of $23,000. The Hamilton Times proudly noted that "the construction of this bridge in Canada has circulated over $12,000 amongst the working population of the country", and added reassuringly that "the bridge will be eventually worked by an engine of 20 horse power which has been manufactured by Mr. Northey of this city". Five days later, the first engine tested the bridge by crossing and re-crossing it at different speeds, and making stops at random. Evidently all went well, and regular service across the bridge began the following month.
A couple pictures of the first railway Swing Bridge.

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz256/scotto2010/Bridge/Five Bridges/ATBrown_zps6f37db45.jpg
A of O, A T Brown Coll C302 3 0 21 5, courtesy Charles Cooper

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...es/HNWswingbridgeBurlingtonAO_zps34be22b5.jpg
A of O , A T Brown Coll C302 3 0 21 1, courtesy Charles Cooper.



__________________________________________

The original wrought-iron steam-powered railway swingbridge was replaced in 1902-03 by a new bridge with steel truss spans and a raised control cab. The new bridge, to be swung by electric power, was built on the site of the old one. "During the construction of the new steel bridge over the canal at Burlington, passenger and freight traffic between Hamilton and Burlington, via the Beach, has been suspended, the service being operated via Waterdown and Burlington Junction" (The Railway and Shipping World, June 1902). The new bridge was opened for traffic in the summer of 1903. Until 1930, only one of the railway swingbridge's two spans actually crossed the Canal, the other being a balancing span.

In 1896 the Dominion government began work on a highway swingbridge to connect the new road along the west side of the beach strip. This bridge had wooden sidewalks and a narrow lane for vehicles.When the Hamilton-Burlington radial electric railway (the HRER) reached the Canal in 1896, it negotiated the right to use it in exchange for providing the motor and the power to operate it. This swingbridge had a south-side pedestal, and it was asymmetrical because of the need to clear the lighthouse immediately to the east.


This road/radial swingbridge was replaced in 1921-22 by a single leaf bascule bridge, also based on the south (Hamilton) side. During its construction, the radial cars were diverted over the GTR track, and only pedestrian traffic was permitted across (which played havoc with the daily milk and bread deliveries of the day).
In 1930-31, the Canal underwent its final widening to 300 ft, at which time the railway swingbridge was relocated diagonally 52 ft to the southeast, with its pedestal on an artificial island between the channels. At the same time, another bascule leaf was built on the north side of the channel to complement the existing road bascule bridge. (The radial rails remained on the southerly bascule leaf until 1946, when their removal caused a balance problem that required the removal of three and a half tons of ballast concrete.)”

Scott, before the canal was widened in 1930, were the piers on both sides still made of wood? And if ‘yes’, after the widening,) were they replaced by concrete ones?
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
Scott, before the canal was widened in 1930, were the piers on both sides still made of wood? And if ‘yes’, after the widening,) were they replaced by concrete ones?
I don't have that info on hand, Ray Mifflin writes in his book that on July 18, 1856 a steamer (Ranger) set the piers on fire and basically burnt down everything and it was a full 18 months before the piers and pier-end light could be rebuilt, I assume out of wood again. And there is a 1909 picture showing a newly built concrete pier end lighthouse and the pier itself looks new and constructed of concrete as well.
 

David O'Reilly

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
481
4
18
A few pictures from the Toronto Public Library;
This picture would of been taken in about 1958, the Skyway is finished awaiting opening.


This picture would of been taken in about 1959, the new Skyway bridge is in full operation and the lift bridge is starting construction.
The base for the two tower for the lift Bridge are being formed on both sides of the open swing bridge.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
This picture would be circa 1957, the construction of the new Skyway has not started and the damaged bascule bridge has been removed and replaced by a temporary wooden bridge.
Top left is the Lakeside Hotel and Beach baseball diamond to the right.
Thanks to TPL

Roughly around the same time period looking in the opposite direction.
TPL


This picture is listed as being 1948 at the Toronto Public Library, but that is not possible, the canal was widen and another bascule bridge added to the north side in 1930-31. Also notice the cars in line are from the early 30's.
 
Last edited:

David O'Reilly

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
481
4
18

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
Several months ago I found this Ontario Historical Society page (OHS) with a referenced to an article on the Burlington Canal. So I e-mailed the OHS to see if the article could be posted on the forum.

https://www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca/index.php/recent-oh#Spring2018



I e-mailed the Hamilton Public Library LH&A to see if it has the publication. But haven’t heard back yet.
Sounds like a very interesting book, I will also look for it next time I am at the library.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
From the Dofasco News, November 1978

Last show on the strip
By John Lawrence Reynolds/Photography by Vytas Beniusis



Anyone less than a civil engineer is usually in awe of something that looks heavy enough to be permanent, yet moves at the whim of a mere human being.
And when that 'something' weighs 2,200 tons and rises 120 feet above the water 30 times a day, it's not to be taken lightly. Yet most folks who drive across the
Burlington Beach Strip rarely give the Lift Bridge a second glance; a second sneer maybe, if they've been held up while the bridge does its levitation trick to allow a ship to enter or leave Hamilton Harbour, but rarely a second glance.

One and only entrance

In reality, the Burlington Canal is an inter-section of two major traffic arteries, and it's remarkable that vehicles, ships and trains move as smoothly through and
across it as they do. The Queen Elizabeth Way carries traffic between Toronto and Buffalo, while the Canal is the only entrance to Hamilton Harbour for Great
Lakes and Seaway shipping.
Besides, there's more to the Beach Strip than meets the eye. It's been the site of sophisticated entertainment, gaudy carnivals, monumental traffic tie-ups and
million-dollar disasters.
The last of the carnival disappeared this year, and the times when the Beach Strip was the location for summer homes of Hamilton's elite are even longer gone. But the Strip's biggest disaster ever is still fresh in the memory of Bert Hockridge. Retired now, Mr. Hockridge was on duty at the old Bascule Bridge on that summer's day in 1952 when the irresistible force of a lake boat met the immovable object -a bridge that was still lowered.
"We didn't have radio contact back then," he recalled, "and when we went to raise one side of the bridge she didn't move. Well, when we got the other side up, we thought the boat would swing over and go through the other lane.
But she didn't."
The lake boat, dragging its anchor and blowing its whistle furiously, crumpled the bridge and created traffic jams that old-time motorists still recall with shudders.

Skyway
The result of the incident was two bridges: the Burlington Bay Skyway opened in 1959; and the current Lift Bridge, completed three years later.
Today most traffic rumbles high above the canal on the Skyway Bridge, but motorists with a more leisurely bent choose the lower level over the canal. And while
the Skyway Bridge may get most of the glamour, there's more genuine interest in the mechanics of the Lift Bridge.
Gord Sovereign should know. As Maintenance Chief of the Bridge, it's his job to keep the Lift Bridge functioning as smoothly as a fine watch.
"After 16 years of operation," Gord said, "the bearings in the reduction gear assembly are beginning to get a bit sloppy, so we'll be replacing them in the off-
season."
Dofas2.jpg

Dofasco castings

We're in the machinery room at the top of one of the towers where two 150-horsepower electric motors and gear assemblies rest in a room clean enough
for brain surgery. In the next room two giant wheels, called shivs, carry 40 heavy cables each. It's these shivs, about 25 feet in diameter, that turn and lift the 380-foot span its full height. Enormous in size yet ground to precision tolerances, they were produced almost 20 years ago in the
Dofasco foundry.
Suddenly, about 125 feet below us, a horn sounds. Bridge Operator Jim Windecker now goes through his sequence of opening the canal for an out-bound
lake boat. Traffic signals, barriers, bridge locks, railway connectors and so on must be engaged and disengaged in sequence.
There's a whine from the electric motors and the giant shivs begin turning. In 2-1/2 revolutions, they've Iifted the bridge to its full height and the Laker passes through.
Somewhere down below a motorist waits in line tor the bridge to descend, wondering how late he will be now. But up in the south tower, Gord Sovereign gazes out over the lake from the last real attraction on Burlington Beach, listens to the splash of the Laker's propellers, watches a seagull wing by, waits for the machinery to whine and turn and rumble again, as it will 29 times more before the day is through.
Dofas.jpg
Dofas1.jpg
Scan2.jpg


Edit;
The Operator's last name should be Gadsby and CSL vessel shown is the Tarantau.
 
Last edited:

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
A few more that I have picked up that have the actual date as the title.
June 7th, 1961
JUNE 7th, 1961.jpg


June 17th 1961
JUNE 17th, 1961.jpg


Early 1960;s

Early 1960s.jpg


Looking south early 1960's
LOOKING SOUTH EARLY 60'S.jpg


Night Shot

Nightshot.jpg
 
Top Bottom