Karangahake had many pedestrian bridges, but not until 1885, 10 years after the opening of the goldfield.
Other bridges provided for tramways, water races and vehicular traffic.
This document is a quick gallop over some of them. Complete with all references, is available here (59 pages, 12 mb PDF).
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Bridges by approximate date |
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1876 |
13 June. First fluming bridge over the Waitawheta River completed, for Karangahake battery. [1] |
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1884 |
10 May. Sir Walter Scott shoot, and tramway complete. A trestle bridge carrying their tramway now crosses the Waitawheta River beside the water race flume. [2] The Ivanhoe Company, on the Ohinemuri side of Taukani, also tram ore across this bridge. [3] |
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1885 |
First bridge across the Ohinemuri River to/from Battery Flat. June. Karangahake suspension bridge completed.[4] The bridge is for foot and horse traffic; no vehicles! Late in year the Woodstock furnace water race crosses the Waitawheta River. [5] [6] |
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1886 |
Railey’s Battery swing bridge Railey’s battery is operating towards the end of 1886. This bridge was constructed by the Monastery Gold-mining Company to transport their ore across the Waitawheta to the battery. This was completed by the end of the year. [7] |
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1890 |
Crown mine river level entrance bridge[8]. |
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1892 |
Crown Company water race flume bridge across Waitawheta River. [9] [10] Crown battery workers’ bridge. 22 October 1892. The gale of Wednesday and Thursday did a good deal of damage. Messrs Brown, of Karangahake, were the greatest sufferers, — the framework of the Crown G.M. Co.'s battery, for which they are the contractors, being blown down and their footbridge swept away. Damage £200.[11] |
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1894 |
Old Hauraki bridge upgraded by Woodstock Co. [12] |
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1895 |
Woodstock water race flume to furnace is removed. New bridge to water balance constructed. [13] |
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1896 |
Woodstock erect swing bridge over Ohinemuri to facilitate bringing machinery to the battery site. [14] |
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1897 |
River Road pedestrian suspension bridge. Built late 1897, painted early 1898. [15] 16 June. Talisman new 20 stamper underway, Howe Truss bridge connects to special site (vat house).[16] |
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1898 |
Second suspension bridge, known as the Traffic Bridge. It was more substantial than the original bridge, could accommodate wheeled traffic. It was built just downstream from the original which was left in place. 20 August. Officially opened [17] |
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1900 |
Woodstock. To carry the pipe-across the Ohinemuri Gorge a Warren truss-bridge of 80 ft. span has been built. This bridge has a 7 ft. wide decking in the clear between the trusses, and the bottom chord is 24 ft. above ordinary water-level, and 6 ft. above the highest known flood-level. The water-pipe which this bridge carries is 3 ft. 9 in. in diameter, and is now being connected up on the gradeline. [18] |
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1901 |
Air pipe line bridge crossing Waitawheta River. [At the Woodstock battery] Two compressors installed. one an Ingersoll-Sergeant compound, rope-driven, low-pressure cylinder 24 1/4 in. diameter, high-pressure cylinder 15 1/4 in. diameter, 18 in. stroke, ordinary capacity 1,170 cubic feet free air per minute; and the other a Schram single-compressor cylinder 14 in. diameter, 24 in. stroke. [19] Railway tunnel temporary bridge. The temporary bridge over the Ohinemuri has been completed. This will admit of the spoil from the tunnel excavation being conveyed across the river and there utilised in the formation of the station-grounds, &c” [20] |
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1903 |
West portal rail bridge completed. [21] |
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1904 |
Eastern portal railway bridge. Completed end of 1904 or beginning 1905. |
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1906 |
Mackaytown to flag station pedestrian suspension bridge. Completed October 1906. [22] A large bridge to carry the new Crown Co. water race is erected, of the Platt type. [23] |
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1911 |
Dougherty’s swing bridge (suspension bridge) is built early 1911? [24] |
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1913 |
Heavy truss bridge constructed connecting the township to Battery Flat. Completed January or February. [25] |
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1920 |
Doherty’s (or Dougherty) Creek bridge. The concrete bridge that is being erected over Doherty’s creek is almost completed, and will be available for traffic in a few days’ time. This is a much needed bridge, and will be greatly appreciated by all and sundry.[26] |
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1959 |
Two suspension bridges for Paeroa municipal water supply pipe were installed. One pedestrian bridge also a little downstream from Dickey’s Flat. |
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1985 |
New pedestrian bridge atop the rail/road bridge at Western portal. New suspension bridge over Waitawheta River, between Dubbo battery and Woodstock battery remains. |
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2020? |
New suspension bridge at Karangahake Reserve installed by the Department of Conservation. |
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2021 |
Replacement suspension bridge for Crown tramway walkway installed by the Department of Conservation. Replacement suspension bridge below Dickey’s Flat. |