General view from North Queensferry hills depicting the three cantilevers at very nearly their full height

"Photograph of the Forth Bridge under construction, general view from North Queensferry hills. A view depicting the three cantilevers at very nearly their full height. The rising ground some 100 feet above sea level at point from which it was taken being well adapted for securing a good position, the artistic qualities and perspective of this picture leave nothing to be desired. The foreground, chiefly composed of foliage, is somewhat hazy, a result due to an almost imperceptible motion imparted to it by the wind, though, so far from detracting from it, this feature adds to the general effect of one of the most successful pictures yet secured. To the west of Inchgarvie may be seen what appear like a few sticks floating in the water, which prove, however, under close inspection to be the most formidable Oregon spars, no less than 100 feet in length and 3 feet in diameter, strapped together with iron band in bundles of three each to form a protection to the piers on Inchgarvie. As they were exceptionally fine spars, their combined weight was considerable, and offered much resistance to the rough water and strong down tides, and therefore necessitated moorings of exceptional strength and character laid down in over 200 feet of water. The essential part of these moorings was a block of concrete weighing some 30 tons, surrounded by an iron frame, the ribs of which projected and were turned at an angle, thus forming a species of grapnel. This is the fellow-picture to No. 36." Transcription from: Philip Phillips, 'The Forth Railway Bridge', Edinburgh, 1890.

[Shelfmark RB.l.229 - Image 31 of 40]