Government Bridge (1872)

Photos

Photo scanned by Internet Archive Book Images

BH Photo #308448

This bridge was destroyed by a icy flood storm after testing of the completion of this double decker.

Overview: Lost Pratt through truss bridge over Mississippi River on Railroad and Road
Location: Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois
Status: Replaced by a new bridge because of an icy flood storm
History: Built 1872, Replaced 1895
Builders: - Baltimore Bridge Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (Erector)
- Charles Shaler Smith of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Chief Engineer)
- Phoenix Bridge Co. of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania (Fabricator)
Railroad: - Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (CRIP (1866-1920); RI (1920-1975) ROCK (1975-1980))
Design: Pratt through truss swing
Dimensions: Total length: 1,950.5 ft.
Also called: Third Bridge
Approximate latitude, longitude: +41.51841, -90.56640 (decimal degrees)
41°31'06" N, 90°33'59" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 15/703065/4599167 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:: Davenport East
Inventory number: BH 55673 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

June 7, 2022: New photo from Douglas Butler
November 24, 2021: Updated by Luke: Added additional builder information per book
September 17, 2018: New photo from Douglas Butler
September 23, 2017: New photo from Dave King
March 1, 2013: Added by Luke Harden