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| Originally built in 1903 under the supervision of Mr Watermeyer. When the structure washed away in 1905 it was immediately reconstructed. When inspected some five years later the timber showed no outward signs of decay but a specimen block was removed from below water-line and sent for examination in Cape Town. It was found to be honeycombed by borer worms. The structure was declared unsafe and replaced by the second rail bridge on a realignment of the line to relocate it above the extraordinary flood-line in 1911 (Lyle, R. 1965. 'Narrow gauge to Avontuur'. In South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, Volume 72 (September), p 139). |
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