Bridges - Portage Lake

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Title: Bridges - Portage Lake
Photographer: Reeder
Subject Headings: Transportation - Bridges, Water - Lakes, Persons
Condition: Good
Description: Wreck of the draw. [Image of the collapsed draw of the bridge after being struck by steamer Northern Wave]]
Source of Description: Back of photograph [cataloger]
Institution: Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections
Donor: Ben Chynoweth
Date of Photo: April 19 1905
Medium: still image
Color: black and white
Size: 12.6 cm x 18 cm
Polarity: Positive
Image No: Acc 220-1984-07-30-05-210-001
Collection Name: Ben Chynoweth Collection
Terms of Use: Rights to reproduce and distribute this image may be restricted. Contact the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections for further information.
User Comments:
• Interesting part of this photo is the fact they have built railroad track across the gap. They used barges to fill in and put blocking underneath to build up what they needed and laid track across. I am sure it was temporary, maybe to move equipment across the gap so they could continue operations.
1/30/2014 5:35:10 PM by yooper557
• From the report of the chief of engineers, U.S. Army: The draw span of the Houghton-Hancock bridge was wrecked April 15, 1905, by the steamer Northern Wave, which struck the bridge while it was being swung and threw the span over on its side, entirely blocking both channels. I visited the site at once and brought about an arrangement by which the two railroad companies, which operate the bridge, entered into contract, April 18, with the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company to remove the wreck, and work began immediately. The south opening was cleared and open to navigation April 25. The remainder of the wrecked bridge was removed by May 25, and a locomotive tender and flat car loaded with rails, which had fallen through a temporary ponton bridge on April 17, were removed from the north channel by June 8.""
9/13/2014 11:32:59 PM by John Haeussler