The Van Horne Bridge

Erected on the Restigouche, I stretch from shore to shore,
A crossing now is easier, than was not there before.
The waters dark and angry, revengefully they cast,
Their forces to o'erpower me, increased by freshet blast.
They roar and swirl around me, in their mad dispair,
While I rest strong and calmly, above them in the air.

Science has helped to conquer, what ran untamed before,
Good steady nerves were needed, for danger was in store.
Now my butments strong and solid, for butments have to stand,
The weight of super-structure, that bridge from land to land.
The coffer-dam was air tight, and pressure was supplied,
To keep clear of water, that would come in from the outside.

In it the builders labored, many feet below,
And through mud and dirt on river bed, to the rock they go.
Then tier by tier the granite sores, built so straight and true,
Next a mass of masonry, comes distincly into view,
The first arrestant of the current, that flowed so free before,
And because the river is quite wide, they require more.

Now come the workers for the steel, they need a steady head,
For just one single little slip, they'll number with the dead.
Then when my beams and girders are riveted in place,
A roadway strong to carry, is suspended into space.
But workers are not wanting, no matter what the trade,
While the derrick swings the steel, to the workers aid.

Now the roadway is complete, the throng comes to my door,
For there is a way for them to pass, that was not there before.
Now I bear the heavy traffic, but few will give me praise,
I had a noisy birth, but now silent are my ways.
But through all the years ahead, I'm a helpmate to the roads,
And I give my strenght of steel, to carry all their loads.

Now Campbellton is connected, to the Cross Point shore,
A very necessary roadway, those construction all adore.
And now we give due credit, to all who gave their aid,
And the Government of Canada, by whom all costs were paid.
But now the work is over, and a big new bridge is born,
And the guiding hand directing: Was Mr. Charles Van Horne.

G. Stuart Grimmer.