The Suspension Bridge over the Tanjil River – 1977

We recently received some slides from one of our ex committee members, Peter Washusen. After we converted these to photos for our collection, we asked Peter for information relating to the details of the bridge.

These are his recollections ………..

The bridge was constructed over the Tanjil River West Branch somewhere in the vicinity of Hill End. It was a pretty much a Section activity with a Lieutenant in charge (can’t remember his name), me as Ssgt and a selection of Sappers.

The task was to build a suspension bridge over the river to provide access for hikers. Do not know what sort of reconnaissance was conducted in advance for the site selection.

Two large eucalypts were selected as the end posts to which a prefabricated steel frames would be attached to take the suspension cables, with the footway cables wrapped around the base of the trees. The cables were “supplied” by the SECV thanks to the close relationship enjoyed at Yallourn. The baulk anchorages were won from the surrounding forest and the holes for them were dug by hand; the planties were not required.

The length of droppers from the suspension cables to the footway cables had to be calculated from the trusty RESPB – Bridging. This was undertaken by the light of hurricane lamps. Judging by the photos we managed to get it right.

Another activity was to desnag the river in the vicinity of the bridge. This was undertaken with a couple of ill fitting wet suits, not provided by Army, but even with these the water was so cold, shifts for the desnaggers were quite short.

Accomodation was what seemed to be an old cowshed that served as sleeping quarters, kitchen and mess. Most of the rations were from 10 man ration packs with some fresh food to supplement. Occasionally we managed to have entrée of freshly caught and barbecued fish.

The successful completion of the project was celebrated at a ‘formal’ dining in night in the cowshed.

Unfortunately, the bridge is no longer standing, as despite the apparent suitability of the trees selected, one of them fell in a storm some years later. Not quite “Facimus et Frangimus” – We make and we break, but rather ‘we make and nature breaks’.

The balance of the squadron undertook roadworks and culverting in the Licola area. The reconnaissance for this work had been undertaken some months earlier, with the focus on calculating catchment areas and expected peak flows from which culvert locations and sizes were established.

Trust this is useful, and hopefully memory is not too far from actuality.

Cheers

Peter Washusen

The RAEAV thanks Peter for his donation.

RAEAV Photo Collection PV 2031

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