Gillies Bridge - Unique Engineering Rothbury, New South Wales, Australia
By blossom* on 01-Jan-17. Waypoint GA9234

Cache Details

Difficulty:
Terrain:
Type:	Traditional
Container:	Small
Coordinates:	S32° 44.255' E151° 21.378' (WGS 84)
	56H 345990E 6376609N (UTM)
Elevation:	50 m
Local Government Area:	Cessnock City

Map

Whodunit Geocache

Description

Historic Gillies Bridge is a classic example of 19th century composite truss bridge-building techniques. It uses a mix of steel and timber, making full use of the advantages of timber, which is better suited to compression and of steel which is better suited to tension.

Three spans, one of 21.2 metres and two of 10 metres, were book-ended with earthwork approaches. The bridge cost a then astronomical amount exceeding 1,300 pounds and was opened in June 1902. This bridge is completely original and the timbers are testament to the longevity of narrow leaf ironbark (eucalyptus crebra), sourced from nearby ridge country. It is the only de Burgh truss with low profile trusses - they are not even double the height of the railing.

Gillies Bridge

You can find some more fascinating details about de Burgh Truss bridges here http://bridges.chookman.id.au/deburgh/deburgh.html

Hints

gerr sbex, urnq urvtug

ROT 13:	ABCDEFGHIJKLM
	NOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Decode

Logs

24-May-23

Tassie Trekkers

This cache was in our target area today and we wondered if we would find it after so long unfounded.
We were surprised to find the cache, however the container was broken and log book saturated. We added a new log book in zip lock bag and replaced container.
An interesting bridge. Thanks blossom*

Rated: for Overall Experience

24-Feb-19

Banj5150

Found this cache with my Geodaughters this morning, TFTC Smile

Rated: for Overall Experience

24-Apr-18

Team737

Our first GCA trad....
We tend to go for GCA trigs and virtuals, but noting this on our way home today decided to stop. The boys found the cache quickly, all nice and dry. Signed and rehidden. I've always quite liked this bridge, we drive over it every time we visit the vineyards or cache out here, and I had even considered hiding a GC cache here in the past.... TFTC blossom*

Rated: for Overall Experience

31-Mar-18

Goldenwattle

Because of the word 'Engineering' I thought this was one of the Historical Engineering Marker series, so here was I looking for the plaque, but thinking this doesn't look like a place for a plaque Anxious

. Then I reread the information. Oops, it's a traditional Shocked

. Then it was a quick find. Log is good, but there is some dampness in the cache. Nice place to stop Clapping

. I like these old bridges. TFTC blossom*.

Rated: for Overall Experience

03-Jun-17

beetles2

We detoured from our caching route for the day to try and get the FTF on this one. Passed through a lot of wine territory and then across the rattly bridge and managed to pull up right beside this one. Just as well we were in the van as the dog across the road raised the alarm that we were here and its muggle soon appeared. Supposedly getting the mail but more likely wondering why we were parked where we were. Thanks to the van though she couldn't see a thing!!!
Can't believe that this one has been published for so long and hasn't had a find yet!!! That wouldn't happen with a GCA cache where we live.
Thanks.

01-Jan-17

blossom*

Luckily this is ready to go on New Year's Day