GC3KR4F Wilton Bridge is not falling down! (Traditional Cache) in West Midlands, United Kingdom created by Slyatslys

This cache has been archived.

geohatter: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Regards

Paul
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GC3KR4F ▼

A cache by Slyatslys Message this owner

Hidden : 5/19/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Wilton Bridge is not falling down!

Wilton Bridge
-----------------
Wilton Bridge is on Wilton Road just outside Ross-on-Wye and was built between 1597 to 1599 out of red sandstone. It replaced a wooden bridge that had superseded the ford in the Wye that was originally there.

The bridge has a span of 95 yards made up of six arches each of which has three chamfered ribs. The only exception is that one of the arches was reduilt after the Civil War when the span was destroyed. In 1914 the bridge was strengthened internally and the ribs bonded together. This was done in such a way that none of the additions were exposed.

Sundial
---------
The bridge features a Sundial with 4 faces. The sundial was commissioned by Jonathan Barrow, who was from Monmouth but lived in Bridstow, and was added in 1718 on the north side of the bridge but was moved to its present position when the bridge was widened during the Second World War.

Interesting features
-------------------------
The bridge has an unusual feature that the stones making up the arches (voussoirs) are not the normal slightly tapered trapezium shape, but every they are a zig-zag shape on both sides. The exact reason for this is unknown but it maybe to lock the stones together due to the force of the water as the bridge also has very large cutwaters.

Changes to the Bridge
----------------------------
Until the Second World War, the bridge had been fine for the horses, carts, carriages and the relatively few cars but it was decided that it needed to be widened from its original 18½ foot width to allow larger vehicles (probably military vehicles in the event of invasion) to cross. As a result, the parapets on the north (upstream) side were removed and the bridge was temporarily widened. Then in the 1950's, the widening was made permanent with the addition of a steel and concrete platform, meaning the parapets were never replaced.

Rope Marks
---------------
On the parapets on the south side of the bridge are prominent rope marks, particularly on the second and fifth arches from the east (Ross) side, scored deeply into the cap stones of the wall. These are clearly visible when standing on the bridge.

The boats were hauled up the river by teams of men, often around ten per boat, pulling up to thirty tons of raw material from towns and ports such as Chepstow.

The Cache
-------------
This is a nano cache made up of a 2ml tube container (and a magnet) that contains only a log.

This cache has been placed in association with Ross-on-Wye.com: Ross-on-Wye Past and Present - Historical notes on Ross (visit link)

Congratulations to philipius for FTF!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh jvyy jbex vg bhg!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)