George Turnbull (1809-1889): Autobiography: Chapter 15

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Chapter 15. 1862. (pages 191-199). East Indian Railway.

1862. January 1. A grand fete at the Botanical Gardens, Garden Reach, and dinner party afterwards.

On the 5th, left Calcutta with the newly-appointed consulting engineer of Government, Capt. Taylor, and stopped at Soorool, and all night there in Latimer’s bungalow ; Mr. and Mrs. Vigors there on their way up. Next night was spent at Raneegunge ; here we first heard of the death of Prince Albert, the Queen’s Consort. During the next few days we examined the works at Ahsensole, and at the Barraken ; also the Singannon branch, which is to be opened in April. On the 12th I was in Calcutta again. Cumberland, who was in the house, was much better. Cotter coming to see him now and then. At this time, from various causes, the working staff on the opened line were not pulling well together, one department quarrelling with another department; a jealous feeling prevailed, and Palmer had little control over them.

I had taken out a patent for an improved rail and sleeper; a length of two miles was sent out and was laid down between Howrah and Sulkeah, but it was not attended to, and so came to nothing. Stokes, in his usual comical way, said that the resident engineer and foreman did not intend that it should succeed, as an exceptional kind of road gave them much trouble.

February. On the 11th February Mr. Power’s little boy was christened George after me, and I filled the part of godfather, Mrs. Bishop was godmother ; Cave Browne officiated.

On the 18th, left Calcutta with a party for a trip by rail to Monghyr, being the first journey by rail to that place. We left Calcutta 7.30 a.m., and arrived at Jumalpoor for Monghyr at 10 p.m. - 297 miles. Among the party were Capt. Tronson, of the P. & O.; Mr. Moule, the padre; Batchelor, traffic manager ; Dr. Webb, and about twenty others. Most of them returned to Calcutta next day. On the 2oth we were at the Soane River, by trolly and horseback. Of the bridge the condition was: twenty-two spans finished, three half-finished, two one-quarter finished; one span not begun. Schmidt carrying on the works in excellent fashion. At Buxar and Kurrumnassa on 22nd.

March. After inspecting all the works I was in Calcutta again on 5th March. On the 6th attended a meeting of the Calcutta University Engineering Faculty. I was a member of the Syndicate, but I took not much interest in it, as I thought they were undertaking too much, and that India required high class academies and high class schools more than universities.

Lord Elgin, the New Governor-General, arrived on the 12th March in Calcutta.

On the 14th I had the honour of going as a member of the Senate of the Calcutta University with that body, and presented an address to Lord Canning on his leaving India.

We had a large dinner on the 17th, being Geordie’s birthday, two years old!

On the 27th we gave a farewell dinner party, the last in India; there were Dr. Webb and his daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Purdon, Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor, Mr. and Mrs. Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, the Bishops, Messrs. Power, Palmer, Boulnois, Stokes, jun., Glinn, Rundle, Gordon, Cowie, Mankewitz. Next day Palmer gave us a farewell dinner.

I had been for some time much taken up with designing a bridge over the River Hooghly, and had the satisfaction of completing it, with the able assistance of Mr. Power, writing the report and estimate complete before leaving India. The matter arose in this wise : Sir John Peter Grant, then Lieut.-Governor of Bengal, asked me my ideas as to bringing the East Indian Railway into Calcutta by a bridge over the Hooghly, instead of stopping at Howrah, on the opposite side of the river, and whether I thought a bridge over the Hooghly was practicable. I gave him my ideas ; but added, that no conclusion could be arrived at of any value without careful borings and soundings and observations as to currents and tides.

By and bye came a formal request from the Government of Bengal, to investigate and report on the subject; and I set Mr. Rundle about taking longitudinal and cross sections on the Hooghly, and Mr. Henfrey undertook the borings by Mr. Marillier, which he executed in a most able manner. I embodied all the particulars in a report, dated the 29th March, 1862; and sent drawings on a large scale and full details to the Lieut. Governor. These were duly exhibited in the residence at Alipore, and of course much admired; but nothing came of them, they have slept in the shade for 20 years, but now the subject has come to the front, and it is intended to bring the railway into Calcutta by a bridge across the Hooghly. I was 20 years before my time. Constant communication is necessary across the river between Calcutta and Howrah, and many designs have been made in aid of it; steam ferry boats, bridges of boats, dinghies, have been resorted to; last of all Bradford Leslie’s bridge of boats with roadway on elevated frame work has been most successful.

The objections to a bridge at Calcutta, are the very great depth of the muddy bottom of the river, making any safe foundation enormously expensive; secondly, the impediment in the way of shipping. The River Hooghly opposite Calcutta, is in fact fine natural harbour or dock, and the intersecting it by a bridge would be very objectionable. On investigation, it was found that a bed of stiff clay existed at no great depth under the river bed at Pulta Ghat, about a dozen miles above Calcutta, and there I proposed to build the bridge. I should have said that the bridge which was proposed to cross at Calcutta, was estimated at little under a million sterling.

The waterway required was about 2,400 feet; no formidable amount in these days, and I proposed five spans of 400 feet, and two spans of 200 feet each. I proposed a suspended girder, that is, a diagonal braced girder with suspension chains or rods. This I thought then, as I think now, to be the correct thing.

The suspension bridge pure and simple is the best for light weights economically, but in large spans it is found that the undulating motion is almost a fatal objection. My plan was to construct a lattice girder of such stiffness and strength as to support its own weight when placed on the two supports, and there to suspend it with wrought iron or steel rods, strong enough to resist all strains that could possibly come upon it. In this way there would be no undulation. It is now proposed as I hear, to build the bridge considerably higher up the river near Baudel, where also there is a bed of stiff clay, and to adopt the “ Cantalever and central girder ” system which has come to the front lately.

It is curious and interesting to know that this method of construction has been adopted by John Fowler and B. Baker in their design for the proposed bridge over the River Forth at Queensferry This is fully explained in an excellent paper with numerous illustrations on “Engineering,” No. 828, Vol. 32, for Nov. nth, 1881. Sir Thomas Bouch made the original design for the Forth Bridge, which was that of suspended girders, in two spans of 1,600 feet each; the points of suspension being no less than 550 feet above water surface, but consequent on the failure of the Tay Bridge, Bouch’s plan was abandoned, and the present design adopted which so far as I know, is a novelty in this country at least. But although patents have been taken out for the method of the construction it turns out to be no novelty at all, on the contrary the principle seems to be of very ancient date in Egyptian Temples and in our small wooden bridges ; notably in a bridge built about 220 years ago in Thibet. It was described by Lieut. Davis, R. N., who was part of the embassy to the Teshoo Lama in Thibet, in a book with illustrations published in London, in 1800. He thus described it: “The Bridge at Wandipore is of singular lightness and beauty in its appearance. The span measures 112 ft., it consists of three parts, two sides and a centre, nearly equal to each other, the sides having a considerable slope raise the elevation, which is horizontal, some feet above the floor of the galleries. A quadruple row of timbers, their ends being set in the masonry of the bank, and the pier supports the sides; the centre part is laid from side to side.”

Making allowance for difference of material, this work (the editor says), may fairly be looked upon as the prototype of the proposed Forth Bridge. This was constructed by a Thibetan “Engineer,” called Lam Sabro in 164.3.

April. On the 7th April the engineers and others employed on the railway presented me with an address of which the following is a copy:

[Missing paragraph]

“But our chief object in addressing you now, is to mark the sincere respect and esteem felt by all of us whose duties have been, whether closely or remotely connected with the works under your charge ; for the constant kindness, and for the unfailing zeal in promoting the good of us all, shown by you for a period of nearly twelve years.

“ We hope that the Railway enterprise which you have successfully carried through the earlier years of its existence in this country, may long have the benefit of your skill and experience; but your departure from India, though for a short time, seems to afford us a fitting occasion to express the sentiments of respect and regard toward you, that we one and all entertain.

“The testimonial of which we now beg your acceptance, will we trust serve to remind you of the lively feelings of affection with which 3'ou and yours will, though absent, ever be remembered by us.

“ Signed Edward Palmer, S. Power, David Murray, I. Lingard Stokes, Walter Bourne, Cubitt S. Rundle, P. D. Nicholl, J. C. Batchelor. Calcutta, 7th April, 1862.”

To this gratifying address I replied as follows:

“ GENTLEMEN,—It is almost impossible for me to express in words how deeply I feel your kindness, and how much I am gratified by the address with which you have honoured me, and by the splendid Testimonial with which you present me.

“ It is now nearly twelve years, as you observe, since I landed in India, and took charge of the Railway Works. You have alluded to the success with which those works have been executed. It would ill become me to take all the credit of that success ; and I am well pleased to have the opportunity of stating—and I feel it to be no more than an act of justice to do so—that without the cordial Support and co-operation of the staff of engineers, which have always been accorded to me, these successful results of our labours could not have been attained.

“ Gentlemen, I may truly say that in carrying into effect the construction of these great works, your exertions have been indefatigable ; these exertions with engineering skill have combated and overcome difficulties of no ordinary kind. It is not with any intention of flattering you, but only with a desire to speak the honest truth that I say, the Railway Company may well be proud of their Staff of Engineers. It is a subject of just pride with me that I have been so long at the head of those in the Bengal Division. To the mutual confidence that has subsisted between us during that long period, I shall always look back with feelings of high gratification.

“ To the other gentlemen of the Railway, not on the Staff of Engineers, I am anxious to express how much I feel their kindness in coming forward on this occasion. That I have succeeded in gaining your confidence is a gratifying reflection to me.

“ Railways in India may now be classified among ‘ established facts,’ it may also be assumed as a fact that they can be made to succeed commercially, that is to say, that they can be worked profitably. The importance of such a result on Indian railways need only be alluded to. I do not think it would be difficult of proof that much of the success of railways as regards carrying on the works especially in India, depends on the position in which railway officers are placed, and the consideration with which they are treated. In short, that the welfare of its officers must be attended to as one of the essentials on a well managed line. You do me justice in saying that I have endeavoured to promote your interests; in doing so I have been promoting the well being of the East Indian Railway.

“To one and all of you, gentlemen, I return my cordial and sincere thanks. To the end of my life I shall not cease to feel grateful for your kindness.

“The testimonial will always be treasured by myself and by my family, with feelings of pride and gratification, in memory of former years in India.

“ I have now only to bid you a heartfelt and an affectionate farewell. GEORGE TURNBULL.”

The testimonial was a very handsome one; the actual amount of money subscribed was close upon £1,230. The management of it was intrusted to David Murray, who was going to England, and it was duly expended in a splendid service of silver plate, necklace, bracelet, and earrings for Mrs. Turnbull, and a portrait of myself, painted by Eddis, and duly presented to the aforesaid Mrs. Turnbull.

Two days after this most gratifying. transaction, namely, on the 9th April, we sailed from Calcutta in the “Bengal;” that “we,” meant Fanny, Nelly, Geordie, and the Ayah Luchmee. On the 3rd May the ship anchored at Suez at 8 p.m., and we started for Cairo by train at 10 p.m. Next day, which was Sunday, we were at Alexandria, and on Monday on board the “Vectis,” a small steamer of 750 tons, bound for Marseilles. Arrived at Malta on the 8th, and at Marseilles on the 11th. We stopped a day at Lyons, and arrived in Paris on the 14th. We arrived in London on the 21st, and put up at the Trafalgar Hotel, Spring Gardens.

May 24th. Queen’s birthday. We dined at the Cubitts, with Mrs. Gwyn and her daughter, Grace Cubitt, Mr. Plater, and others.

There was a good deal of difficulty in getting a house furnished to live in on reasonable terms. Ultimately we took up our quarters with Dr. Hensley, No. 5, Spring Gardens, for one month, at eight guineas a week.

On the 29th I attended a meeting of the Directors of the East Indian Railway Company, who received me very cordially.

June. In London, seeing old friends and paying visits and seeing sights. On the 17th Lord Canning died, aged fifty; so it is stated in my diary, but he surely must have been older. On the 25th I went to Liverpool and saw Mr. Groom concerning legacy left to Fanny and her brother Richard, which was soon settled.

On the 27th we had a small party at 5, Spring Gardens - Lady Cubitt, Edward Purser, T. Leahy, Georgina Cubitt.

July. On the 1st I took Fanny to a grand ball at Deal, but I knew no one there except Mr. Stirling and Col. Fellowes. On our return we stopped at Rochester, and visited the Wrights. There we met Capt. Coxon and his wife, very pleasant people. On the 4th he took Wright and me over the Chatham works. On the 8th Mary Cleverly came up from Tunbridge Wells to stay with us at Spring Gardens.

On the 9th we dined at Mr. Pope’s, Manchester Square, with Mr. and Mrs. Lough (sculptor), Mary Cleverly, Mrs. Crowley, Mrs. John Pope (Rosa), and little Mary; also Charlie Cleverly and Nelly. On the 28th I went to Glasgow, and examined the local shipping apparatus there; and then to Edinburgh, and saw my sisters, Sibella, Jane, and Margaret. Sibella was very weak then, and did not live long afterwards. On the 31st I was in London again.

August. On the 5th we all went to Sea View, in the Isle of Wight; then a small village, about two miles west of Ryde, but now I hear it has grown into a populous district.

September. On the 1st we left Sea View and crossed to Southsea, and settled down in Culver Lodge, Auckland Road, East Meadows. Rendel came down on the 6th to discuss matters about the E. R. Railway, and my cousin, George Turnbull, came the same day from Barnhill, Perth, all the way to see me. Poor fellow, he was far from well then, and did not live long after that time. He was schoolfellow, and about my own age.

On the 9th I went to Mr. Eddis for the last sitting for picture he painted for the “Testimonial.” to the City East Indian of them.

On 20th I sailed again from Southampton in the “Ceylon,” leaving Fanny and Geordie in Southampton. Gibraltar on the 26th, Malta on the 30th ; Alexandria, 3rd October ; Cairo, 4th; Suez, 6th October, embarked in the “ Nemesis,” Capt. Westown. Aden, 11th; Galle Harbour, 21st; Calcutta, 28th. Thirty-eight days from Southampton.

October. I took up my abode in Spence’s Hotel, and long conferences ensued with White, Power, Batchelor, Nichol, and others. They were all full of complaints about the “management” of the railway generally, partly succeeded, what captious.

November 3rd. Soame Bridge finished. In a special train with Col. Strachey, Capt. Taylor, Power, Batchelor, Nichol, and Dr. Webb as our guest, and had a pleasant trip to Monghyr where we slept. Next day on to the Soane Bridge which we carefully examined and found all in beautiful order; the bridge completely finished.

Next day, the 5th, we all went on to the River Kurrumnassa, which forms the boundary between Bengal and the north western provinces, where I was much chagrined to find that Boyle and Sherrinton had not completed the three additional arches to the bridge, which with small exertion might have been done. However I would not hear of postponing the opening as Boyle suggested, but settled on a temporary expedient (bringing girders from the Soane Bridge) to be ready for opening on 15th December.

On the 10th again in Calcutta, and went to Dr. Webb’s house as he was urgent about it, he was always hospitable, and I was very comfortable there. Same day went to Lord Elgin’s (the Governor- General) Levee; being the Prince of Wales’s birthday.

Railway opened to Monghyr. On the 17th, the railway was opened to Dinapore, 411 miles from Howrah.

On the 24th November, I took Mrs. Webb and her daughters a trip up to Rajmahal, also their friend Mr. Fisher, a young civilian, and A. C. Bell. Then with Vigors and Long, along the line on the 26th, making arrangements about opening.

December. Arrived in Calcutta again on the 2nd December. On the 6th I resigned directorship of the Assam Co.

On the 11th, 12th and 13th, a set of experiments were made with coupled engines, testing the Keeul, Hullohur and Soane Bridges, with an assembly of Government engineers, and our railing engineers; all very satisfactory. We then went to Kurrumnassa, and along the new line to Benares, and back to Buxar.

On to Benares. On the 23rd, the railway was opened for public traffic to Benares, that is to Rajghat Station, on the right bank of the Ganges, opposite Benares.

Singarron branch line. On the 29th, I went with Capt. Perkins and some of our engineers to inspect the Singarron branch line, 8 miles long, which was all finished except the stations. Slept at Raneegunge. Next day to Ahsensole, to Browning’s bungalow, and on the 31st, rode along the extension line to the River Barakur, with Browning, Bourne, Heenan, Cockburn, Power. On to Powell’s bungalow. Barakur Bridge foundation blocks, 20 ft. square.

We left Powell’s bungalow in three gharries at 9 p.m. for Tope Chauncee and Parisnauth Mountain, intending to climb. So ended 1862.

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