Barentin Viaduct

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Barentin viaduct after rebuilding
Barentin viaduct after rebuilding

Barentin Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the Rouen and Le Havre line near to the town of Barentin, Normandy, France, about 12 miles (19 km) from Rouen. It was of brick construction with 27 arches, 100 feet (30 m) high with a total length of 600 yards (549 m). The engineer was Joseph Locke and the contractor Thomas Brassey.[1][2]

Shortly after it was completed, after several days of heavy rain, the viaduct collapsed on 10 January 1846. The cause of the collapse was never determined. One theory was that it had been filled with ballast before the mortar was dry.[1] Another theory blamed the lime used to make the mortar which had been obtained from local sources.[2] Whatever the cause, Brassey rebuilt the viaduct at his own expense, this time using lime of his own choice.[1] The viaduct still stands and is in use today.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c Walker, Charles (1969). Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder. London: Frederick Muller, 48–49. ISBN 0584103050. 
  2. ^ a b Helps, Arthur [1872] (2006). The Life and Works of Mr Brassey. Stroud: Nonsuch, 50–51. ISBN 1845880110. 
  3. ^ Haynes, Doug (2005-2006). "The Life and Work of Thomas Brassey". Cheshire History 45: 60. ISSN 0141-8696.