|
 TELFORD,
THOMAS, an eminent engineer and constructor of public works, was born about
the year 1755, in the parish of Westerkirk in Dumfriesshire. His outset in
life was strikingly humble in comparison with its close. He began the world
as a working stone-mason in his native parish, and for a long time was only
remarkable for the neatness with which he cut the letters upon those frail
sepulchral memorials which "teach the rustic moralist to die." His
occupation fortunately afforded a greater number of leisure hours than what
are usually allowed by such laborious employments, and these young Telford
turned in the utmost advantage in his power. Having previously acquired the
elements of learning, he spent all his spare time in poring over such
volumes as fell within his reach, with no better light in general than what
was afforded by the cottage fire. Under these circumstances the powers of
his mind took a direction not uncommon among rustic youths; he became a
noted rhymster in the homely style of Ramsay and Fergusson, and, while still
a very young man, contributed verses to Ruddiman’s Weekly Magazine, under
the unpretending signature of "Eskdale Tam." In one of these compositions,
which was addressed to Burns, he sketched his own character, and hinted his
own ultimate fate –
Nor pass the tentie curious lad,
Who o’er the ingle hangs his head,
And begs of neighbours books to read;
For hence arise,
Thy country’s sons, who far are spread,
Baith bold and wise.
Though Mr Telford afterwards
abandoned the thriftless trade of versifying, he is said to have retained
through life a strong "frater-feeling" for the corps, which he showed in a
particular manner on the death of Burns, in exertions for the benefit
of his family. Having proceeded to London in quest of work, he had the good
fortune to be employed under Sir William Chambers in the building of
Somerset house. Here his merit was soon discovered by the illustrious
architect, and he experienced promotion accordingly. We are unable to detail
the steps by which he subsequently placed himself at the head of the
profession of engineering; but it is allowed on all hands that his elevation
was owing solely to his consummate ability and persevering industry, unless
we are to allow a share in the process to the singular candour and integrity
which marked every step in his career. His works are so numerous all over
the island, that there is hardly a county in England, Wales, or Scotland, in
which they may not be pointed out. The Menai and Conway bridges, the
Caledonian canal, the St Katharine’s docks, the Holyhead roads and bridges,
the Highland roads and bridges, the Chirke and Ponteysulte aqueducts, the
canals in Salop, and great works in that county, of which he was surveyor
for more than half a century, are some of the traits of his genius which
occur to us, and which will immortalize the name of Thomas Telford.
The Menai bridge will
probably be regarded by the public as the most imperishable monument of Mr
Telford’s fame. This bridge over the Bangor ferry, connecting the counties
of Caernarvon and Anglesea, partly of stone and partly of iron, on the
suspension principle, consists of seven stone arches, exceeding in magnitude
every work of the kind in the world. They connect the land with the two main
piers, which rise fifty-three feet above the level of the road, over the top
of which the chains are suspended, each chain being 1714 feet from the
fastenings in the rock. The first three-masted vessel passed under the
bridge in 1826. Her topmasts were nearly as high as a frigate, but they
cleared twelve feet and a half below the centre of the roadway. The
suspending power of the chains was calculated at 2016 tons. The total weight
of each chain, 121 tons.
The Caledonian canal is
another of Mr Telford’s splendid works, in constructing every part of which,
though prodigious difficulties were to be surmounted, he was successful. But
even this great work does not redound so much to his credit as the roads
throughout the same district. That from Inverness to the county of
Sutherland, and through Caithness, made not only, so far as respects its
construction, but its direction, under Mr Telford’s orders, is superior in
point of line and smoothness, to any part of the road of equal continuous
length between London and Inverness. This is a remarkable fact, which,
from the great difficulties he had to overcome in passing through a rugged,
hilly, and mountainous district, incontrovertibly establishes his great
skill in the engineering department, as well as in the construction of great
public communications.
Mr Telford was not more
remarkable for his great professional abilities than for his sterling worth
in private life. His easiness of access, and the playfulness of his
disposition, even to the close of life, endeared him to a numerons circle of
friends, including all the most distinguished men of his time. For some
years before his death, he had withdrawn himself in a great measure from
professional employment, and amused his leisure by writing a detailed
account of the principal works he had planned, and lived to see executed. He
died September 9, 1834, in his seventy-ninth year, and was buried in
Westminster Abbey. |
