|
River |
Length km |
Length miles |
Description |
|
River Forth |
105 |
65 |
The River Forth (Gaelic: Uisge For or Abhainn
Dhubh, meaning "black river"), 47 km (29 miles) long, is the major
river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.
The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area
some 30 km (19 miles) west of Stirling. It flows roughly eastward,
through Aberfoyle, joining with the Duchray Water and Kelty Water,
and out over the flat expanse of the Flanders Moss. It is then
joined by the River Teith (which itself drains Loch Venachar, Loch
Lubnaig, Loch Katrine, and Loch Voil) and the River Allan, before
meandering through the ancient city of Stirling. At Stirling the
river widens and becomes tidal, and it is here that the last
(seasonal) ford of the river exists. From Stirling, the Forth flows
east over the Carse of Stirling and past the towns of Cambus (where
it is joined by the river Devon), Alloa and Airth. Upon reaching
Kincardine the river begins to widen into an estuary, the Firth of
Forth.
|
Inchkeith Island in the River Forth
Forth Railway Bridge
The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth in the
east of Scotland, to the east of the Forth Road Bridge, and 14 kilometres (9 mi)
west of central Edinburgh. It is often called the Forth Rail Bridge or Forth
Railway Bridge to distinguish it from the Forth Road Bridge. It was opened on 4
March 1890. The bridge connects Scotland's capital city with Fife, and acts as a
major artery connecting the north-east and south-east of the country. Described
as "the one internationally recognised Scottish landmark", it may be nominated
by the British government to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in
Scotland. The bridge and its associated railway infrastructure is owned by
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited. It is currently the longest cantilever
bridge in the world for rail transport (second longest cantilever bridge in the
world after the Quebec Bridge).
The bridge is, even today, regarded as an engineering marvel. It is 2.5 km (1.5
miles) in length, and the double track is elevated 46 m (approx. 150 ft) above
high tide. It consists of two main spans of 521.3 m (1,710 ft), two side spans
of 207.3 m, and 15 approach spans of 51.2 m (168 ft). Each main span comprises
two 207.3 m (680 ft) cantilever arms supporting a central 106.7 m (350 ft) span
truss. The three great four-tower cantilever structures are 100.6 m (330 ft)
tall, each 70 ft (21 m) diameter foot resting on a separate foundation. The
southern group of foundations had to be constructed as caissons under compressed
air, to a depth of 90 ft (27 m). At its peak, approximately 4,600 workers were
employed in its construction. Initially, it was recorded that 57 lives were
lost; however, after extensive research by local historians, the figure was
increased to 98. Eight men were saved by boats positioned in the river under the
working areas.
Hundreds more were left crippled by serious accidents, and one log book of
accidents and sickness had 26,000 entries. In 2005, a project was set up by the
Queensferry History Group to establish a memorial to those workers who died
during the bridge's construction. In North Queensferry, a decision was also made
to set up memorial benches to commemorate those who died during the construction
of both the rail and the road bridges, and to seek support for this project from
Fife Council.
|
General
Dimensions |
|
|
Imperial
|
Metric |
|
Overall length |
8296 ft |
2528.7 m |
|
South approach |
10 spans of 168 ft. |
10 spans of 51.2 m |
|
North approach |
5 spans of 168 ft.
|
5 spans of 51.2 m |
|
Length portal to
portal |
5350 ft |
1630.7 m. |
|
Length tower to
tower |
1912 ft. |
582.8 m. |
|
Cantilever length |
680 ft |
207.3 m. |
|
Simply supported
spans |
350 ft. |
106.7 m. |
|
Main spans |
[ 2 x 680ft.
+350ft.] = 1710 ft. |
[ 2 x 207.3 m.
+106.7 m.] = 521.3 m. |
|
Height of towers |
330 ft. |
100.6 m |
|
Rail level above
high water mark |
158 ft. |
48.2 m. |
|
Clear navigation
headway |
150 ft
|
45.7 m. |
|
Weight of 1710 ft.
span |
11571 tons |
11754 tonnes |
|
Total number of
rivets |
6,500,000 nos.
weighing 4200 tons |
6,500,000 nos.
weighing 4267 tonnes |
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost |
£3.2m [foundations
£0.8m; abandoned suspension bridge £0.25m.] |
Visit the Visitor Centre Website :
Forth Bridges
The Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth (Scottish Gaelic: Linne Foirthe) is the estuary or firth of
Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the
north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south.
Known as Bodotria in Roman times.
Islands on the Firth of
Forth
Bass Rock
Craigleith
Cramond
Eyebroughy
Fidra
Inchcolm
Inchgarvie
Inchkeith
Inchmickery with Cow and Calf
The Lamb
Isle of May
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