Inkerman Bridge

The Inkerman Bridge was a railway bridge over the Burdekin River between McDesme and Home Hill, both in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. It was in operation between 1913 and 1957 after which it was replaced by the Burdekin Bridge (also known as the Silver Link).[3][4]

Inkerman Bridge
First train from Bowen to cross the Inkerman Bridge, 1913
Coordinates19.6396°S 147.3952°E / -19.6396; 147.3952 (Inkerman Bridge)
CarriesNorth Coast railway line
CrossesBurdekin River
LocaleMcDesme (north), Home Hill (south), Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia
Followed byBurdekin Bridge
Characteristics
Total length830 yd 1 ft (37.7 chains; 759.3 m)
No. of spans129[1]
History
Construction start1912[2]
Construction end1913
Construction cost£18,000
Opened8 September 1913
Location

History
Repair flood damage, October 1940

The Inkerman Bridge was built as part of the North Coast railway line along the Queensland coast that ultimately linked Brisbane to Cairns by rail. Construction commenced in 1912 and the bridge officially opened on Monday 8 September 1913.[3][4]

Wreckage of a goods train washed off the bridge in March 1945 still lies submerged on the river bed in April 1945

The bridge was low-lying and the Burdekin River frequently flooded. As a result, the bridge was frequently closed due to water over the bridge or because the bridge was damaged by floods leading to months of closure while it was repaired.[5][6][7][8]

On 8 March 1945 a goods train was swept off the bridge in a sudden surge of flood water. Two people drowned, while four others survived by freeing the cattle on board and then "rode" down the river holding onto the steers until they were rescued downstream at various locations as far as Rita Island. The bridge went at least 11 feet (3.4 m) under water in that flood. The disaster renewed demands that a higher-level bridge be built.[9][10]

In 1947 a project commenced to build a high-level road-and-rail bridge to replace the Inkerman Bridge, but owing to the sandy soil without any rock to provide foundations for a higher bridge, it took ten years to design and construct the Burdekin Bridge which opened on 27 March 1957.[11]

Remnants

Some remnants of the old bridge are still visible 100 metres (330 ft) downsteam (east) of the Burdekin Bridge.[12]

References
  1. "The Linking Up of the Lines". Bowen Independent. 10 (583). Queensland, Australia. 9 August 1913. p. 2. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "The North Coast Railway". Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette. XLVI (7114). Queensland, Australia. 21 August 1913. p. 1. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Burdekin Bridge". Burdekin Shire Council. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  4. "North Coast Railway Line". Townsville Daily Bulletin. XXX (9623). Queensland, Australia. 10 September 1913. p. 6. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Flood Reports". The Northern Miner. Queensland, Australia. 4 March 1922. p. 2. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Flood Damage to Inkerman Bridge". Townsville Daily Bulletin. LXXI. Queensland, Australia. 18 January 1951. p. 1. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Chronological History of Flooding 1857-2010" (PDF). Harden Up. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  8. "Flood Traps Train, Five Passengers Saved By Clinging to Bullocks". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 8 March 1945. p. 1 (Second Edition). Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Two Missing When Flood Engulfs Train at Burdekin". The Evening Advocate. Queensland, Australia. 8 March 1945. p. 1. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Brake Damaged By Debris?". The Evening Advocate. Queensland, Australia. 8 March 1945. p. 5. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "New Queensland Bridge". Western Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 19 April 1957. p. 4. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. Google (14 January 2021). "Inkerman Bridge (remnants)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
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