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The Opening of the Saltash Bridge A black-hulled steam vessel glides underneath a tall arched suspension bridge in this horizontal composition. The double masted vessel has a paddle wheel and a long, narrow and pointed prow. Motion is displayed by the movement of water underneath the prow, steam coming from the chimneys, and the ship's colors hoisted atop the right hand mast. All figures on the ship appear to be standing. The eye is drawn along the line of the horizontal line of the river. The tall arched bridge starts as shorter arching masonry piers emanating from the hill in the left distance. Approaching the center foreground, one solid pier begins the support of a large iron span that continues to cross the river. A second span moves off the compositional space in the top foreground. In the left background a steam train begins its journey across the bridge. Equidistant red and blue flags fly atop the span. Wooden docks with mooring rowboats anchor the left and right foreground. Large groups of standing men and women wave their hands and hats, several bow. A red jacketed figure stands and salutes at right. This figure is the visual center of a diagonal line formed by the ship's flag and a mooring rope, becoming a framing device for the composition. The left background is dominated by a hill containing domestic and industrial structures. The hill's mottled texture and color allows for the bridge's sharp contour lines to stand out. At the shoreline docks holding many figures become enveloped by the river's mist. Several masted ships and rowing boats appear in the earthy blue toned river. Background Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash. Commissioned by the South Devon and Cornwall railway companies, the single-track bridge crossed the River Tamar to form the rail link between the counties of Devon and Cornwall in southern England. As British warships were still propelled by sail and steam power in the 1850s, Brunel was required to create a span that would allow for adequate passage underneath. The height on the center span rose to approximately 300 feet, allowing for 100 feet of extra mast room below for clearance. The opening of the Royal Albert Bridge was a royal event, as indicated by the flying of the colors (flags), saluting, bowing and cheering. Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, traveled the rails from Paddington Station (London) to be present for the festivities. This composition indicates England's economical, technological and advancement by the 1850's. As a major industry in itself, the railways crisscrossed the English countryside and provided easier access for the movement of goods and passengers. The Royal Albert Bridge was designed for such a purpose. Iron is a prominent link within this composition as well. The train, as well as the ship, is constructed of cast iron. Both are powered by steam engines. The central pier of the bridge has four cast iron columns that are 100 feet high. The two main arch spans are constructed in a beam, arch and chain process from cast and wrought iron. This bridge had been always assumed to be constructed for a double line of railway as well as the rest of the line. In constructing the whole of the line at present with a single line of rails, except at certain places, the prospect of doubling it hereafter is not wholly abandoned, but with respect to the bridge it is otherwise. From Saltash to St Germans, Liskeard and St Austell. anon., written on opening the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash
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