Shaw Bridge
Encyclopedia
Shaw Bridge, also known as Double-Span Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge, is a historic bridge in Claverack
, New York, United States. It carried Van Wyck Lane over Claverack Creek
, but is now closed to all traffic, even pedestrians. It is "a structure of outstanding importance to the history of American engineering and transportation technology." Specifically designed by John D. Hutchinson, the bridge employs the basic design of Squire Whipple
. It is the only extant double-span Whipple bowstring truss bridge in the U.S.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1980. Since then its wooden deck has deteriorated to the point where it cannot be used even by pedestrians, and it has been closed.
, are built on large lots
. Many tall trees grow in the area, giving it a wooded feel. The creek, a tributary
of the Hudson River
to the west, is shallow yet wide here. It is 0.1 mile (150 m) east of NY 23
/9H
, the main north-south route through the Claverack area.
Structurally, the bridge is a bowstring tied arch with two separate yet identical spans supported by end abutment
s and a center pier of mortared
cut limestone
blocks. Its lower chord, wrought iron
spans between cast iron
connecting blocks, is 162 feet (49.4 m) long, 13 feet (4 m) wide and 10.5 feet (3.2 m) above water level. Its upper chords are segmental arches of nine tangential iron castings with their bearing surfaces joined at each panel point. They bear the legend "J.D. Hutchinson, Builder, Troy, N.Y.
, 1870".
Iron floor beams are suspended from the top chord by vertical round threaded
iron rods similar to those that form the diagonal crosses and braces of the truss web. Wood stringers bolted to the iron beams run the length of the spans, and more iron rods cross-brace them. The deck itself consists of wooden planks laid across the stringers and braces. Guard rails on either side protect the trusses.
and the major route through Claverack. Whipple's iron-truss designs had been adopted as the standard bridge type on the Erie Canal
; the state may well have decided to use them on highways as well. Builder John D. Hutchinson's father had also built 35 of the canal bridges. It took its name from William Shaw, a nearby property owner.
In 1931 the current routes 23 and 9H were constructed, diverting traffic away from the bridge. It remained in use, with a load limit of 4 tons (3.6 metric tons) through at least 1988. Since then it has been closed to all traffic due to its deteriorated deck. Chainlink fences block the approaches, and tree branches have fallen across the bridge.
As of 2011, a new administration in the town has recognized the historic importance of this bridge. Weeds have been cleared, and the town is seeking funding to allow the bridge to be restored and reopened for pedestrian use.
Claverack-Red Mills, New York
Claverack-Red Mills is a census-designated place in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 913 at the 2010 census....
, New York, United States. It carried Van Wyck Lane over Claverack Creek
Claverack Creek
Claverack Creek is a tributary to Stockport Creek in Columbia County, New York, in the United States. Its source is in the town of Claverack at the hamlet of Mellenville, and its mouth is at its confluence with Kinderhook Creek to form Stockport Creek, in the town of Stockport.-History:The lower...
, but is now closed to all traffic, even pedestrians. It is "a structure of outstanding importance to the history of American engineering and transportation technology." Specifically designed by John D. Hutchinson, the bridge employs the basic design of Squire Whipple
Squire Whipple
Squire Whipple C.E. was a civil engineer born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, USA. His family moved to New York when he was thirteen. He studied at Fairfield Academy. He graduated from Union College after only one year...
. It is the only extant double-span Whipple bowstring truss bridge in the U.S.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1980. Since then its wooden deck has deteriorated to the point where it cannot be used even by pedestrians, and it has been closed.
Structure
The bridge is located in a quiet residential area where houses, some dating to the early 19th century like the nearby Jacob P. Mesick HouseJacob P. Mesick House
The Jacob P. Mesick House is located on Van Wyck Lane in Claverack, New York, United States. It is a wooden house in the Greek Revival architectural style built in the mid-19th century....
, are built on large lots
Lot (real estate)
In real estate, a lot or plot is a tract or parcel of land owned or meant to be owned by some owner. A lot is essentially considered a parcel of real property in some countries or immovable property in other countries...
. Many tall trees grow in the area, giving it a wooded feel. The creek, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
to the west, is shallow yet wide here. It is 0.1 mile (150 m) east of NY 23
New York State Route 23
New York State Route 23 is an east–west state highway in the eastern portion New York in the United States. It extends for from an intersection with NY 26 in the Central New York town of Cincinnatus to the Massachusetts state line in the Berkshire Mountains, where it continues east as...
/9H
New York State Route 9H
New York State Route 9H is a state highway located within Columbia County, New York, United States. It runs from US 9, NY 82, and NY 23 at its southern end in Bell Pond to its northern end in Valatie, also at US 9....
, the main north-south route through the Claverack area.
Structurally, the bridge is a bowstring tied arch with two separate yet identical spans supported by end abutment
Abutment
An abutment is, generally, the point where two structures or objects meet. This word comes from the verb abut, which means adjoin or having common boundary. An abutment is an engineering term that describes a structure located at the ends of a bridge, where the bridge slab adjoins the approaching...
s and a center pier of mortared
Mortar (masonry)
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be stone, brick, cinder blocks, etc. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid aggregate structure. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder...
cut limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
blocks. Its lower chord, wrought iron
Wrought iron
thumb|The [[Eiffel tower]] is constructed from [[puddle iron]], a form of wrought ironWrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon...
spans between cast iron
Cast iron
Cast iron is derived from pig iron, and while it usually refers to gray iron, it also identifies a large group of ferrous alloys which solidify with a eutectic. The color of a fractured surface can be used to identify an alloy. White cast iron is named after its white surface when fractured, due...
connecting blocks, is 162 feet (49.4 m) long, 13 feet (4 m) wide and 10.5 feet (3.2 m) above water level. Its upper chords are segmental arches of nine tangential iron castings with their bearing surfaces joined at each panel point. They bear the legend "J.D. Hutchinson, Builder, Troy, N.Y.
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, 1870".
Iron floor beams are suspended from the top chord by vertical round threaded
Screw thread
A screw thread, often shortened to thread, is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. A screw thread is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread...
iron rods similar to those that form the diagonal crosses and braces of the truss web. Wood stringers bolted to the iron beams run the length of the spans, and more iron rods cross-brace them. The deck itself consists of wooden planks laid across the stringers and braces. Guard rails on either side protect the trusses.
History
It is possible that the state may have built the bridge. In 1870, Van Wyck Lane was part of the Albany Post RoadAlbany Post Road
The Albany Post Road was a post road - a road used for mail delivery - in the U.S. state of New York. It connected the cities of New York and Albany along the east side of the Hudson River, a service now performed by US 9.The rough route was as follows:...
and the major route through Claverack. Whipple's iron-truss designs had been adopted as the standard bridge type on the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
; the state may well have decided to use them on highways as well. Builder John D. Hutchinson's father had also built 35 of the canal bridges. It took its name from William Shaw, a nearby property owner.
In 1931 the current routes 23 and 9H were constructed, diverting traffic away from the bridge. It remained in use, with a load limit of 4 tons (3.6 metric tons) through at least 1988. Since then it has been closed to all traffic due to its deteriorated deck. Chainlink fences block the approaches, and tree branches have fallen across the bridge.
As of 2011, a new administration in the town has recognized the historic importance of this bridge. Weeds have been cleared, and the town is seeking funding to allow the bridge to be restored and reopened for pedestrian use.
See also
- List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbia County, New York
External links
- Shaw Bridge, Claverack, Columbia County, NY: 8 photos, at Historic American Building Survey