>From The Constitution or Cork Morning Post, 28 August 1822 - REMOVING THE PORT CULLIS OF PATRICK'S BRIDGE. In our last we were enabled briefly to report the important case, the traversing the presentment for closing the Port Cullus. We now lay the evidence before our readers. FOR THE TRAVERSE. JONES HARRISON, Esq.--Is Port Surveyor; has resided many years in City of Cork ; has been twenty years Port Surveyor, and knows the localities of the river of Cork ; the extent of river and quayage above bridge, is greater than below, taking in both sides of the river ; the population above very considerable ; Mallow-lane and Blarney-lane are north-west of the port cullis ; should think great tanning and other manufactures are carried on in Mallow-lane ; is sure great quantities of potatoes, fish, &c. are carried on above the bridge, as well as some slate and other commodities ; believes the potato-market and bridewell are above bridge ; in his opinion the navigation above the bridge is highly useful ; thinks at times when a great influx of shipping is in the river, quayage is much required below bridge ; there are two docks above bridge, Carroll's and the potato dock ; there is only a blind sort of dock called Haly's, opposite the Custom-house, below bridge, it may be employed for landing deals ; remembers three docks, one at Custom-house, one at South-mall, and one at Lapp's-island ; saw large vessels, brigs, and Portuguese schooners above bridge ; saw vessels taking in provisions for export above bridge at Lavitt's-quay. Cross-examined.--Did live in Cork when the port cullis was built ; saw many vessels above bridge since the Custom-house was removed saw some sizeable vessels discharging herrings in bulk, from the fisheries, above bridge ; the potatoes are conveyed in smaller vessels ; has seen a vessel grounding in the port cullis and stopping the passage ; may have seen it at least 20 times in 20 years, and it may have happened many times more ; never saw a horse go over the chains ; it is not in his recollection to have seen a person falling in ; a gentleman told him this day that his carriage was near going over in consequence of the draw-bridge being up, only the coachman drew up ; believes that it is at present nearly impassable ; the closing of all these docks were esteemed for the public benefit, but that is a matter of opinion, his was, that if these were taken care of they ought not to be stopped ; other quays were greatly improved near the Custom-house, &c. of much benefit to the public ; believes there is a great quantity of coal landed above Parliament Bridge, which must have passed it ; and also above South Bridge coals are landed at French's Quay . . . a great deal are landed on this branch that goes up not in masted vessels at all ; don't remember to have seen a lighter with a fallen mast except one Mr. Church had some years ago ; knows the South Channel ; there is a considerable extent on the South Channel from South Bridge to Custom-house ; a great proportion of the population is lying about the South branch ; George's Quay is a long quay ; there is a long space from that to the wall where quays may be made, but the material of money is wanted ; has seen the quays below Bridge when the easterly winds prevailed, incommoded, for want of room, but not since the peace ; a great many of the private yards for the supply of coals are above Patrick's-Bridge, but does not know of one above North Bridge ; heard people did not pay more for coal above than below Bridge ; it was within his memory that Carlile [sic] Bridge¹ was built in Dublin, and it took a large track greater than that from this place ; knew a road to be made there, and supposes this Port Cullis will be removed by presentment at some future time ; seven of Grand Jury were Harbour Commissioners. ROBERT TYRREL.--Has been in the habit of providing horses for 18 years for the Mail Coach Establishment ; knew of the leaders taking fright in the coach at one time, and falling into the river over the chains, and they were taken up a great way below ; knew of poles, springs, and harness having been broken ; knew the leaders of the Youghal coach breaking the harness in consequence of one side of the bridge being raised three feet, and then running away down Merchant's-quay ; it is not a safe bridge for the Mail to pass in winter and frosty weather ; was obliged to keep a helper there to watch the coach over ; not passable these two days, and the coach must go round by North-bridge. Cross-examined.--Knows the bridge at Glanmire channel, where the Youghal and Waterford Mail travels over--knew of accidents happening on the roads where there was no wooden bridge ; knew of a watch-house and men being kept there formerly to guard Patrick's bridge. MICHAEL POWER.--Saw a man lost there by walking over the bridge, one side being up ; the man watching lifted only one side to leave a lighter go through, and this man walked in and was drowned ; it was after 12 o'clock at night. THOMAS DEANE.--Is an Architect ; knows this Port Cullis ; measured the length of the quays between North and Patrick's bridges ; from North to Patrick's-bridge the quay is 1800 feet, and from Patrick's-bridge to the Custom-house gate is 1600 feet ; three-fourths of the concerns above bridge are in a ruinous state ; made a rough estimate of that part from the North to Patrick's-bridge, by direction of Mr. Griffith, and told him they could be taken down for about £2500 . . . made an estimate of a metal bridge and it amounted to £2000 ; a swivel bridge could not be erected there. The casual repairs would be about £20 per annum, beside two men at 8s. per week . . . the present Port Cullis is rotten in all its timber parts, and is very dangerous and not capable of effectual repair. Cross-examined.--Is employed by the Harbour Commissioners ; has little property below Bridge ; they have quays in the whole tongue of Lapp's-Island ; has contracted for it by public advertisement ; the amount of their contracts has been from £15,000 to £20,000 for quays ; the object of Mr. Griffith was to form one extended quay ; there could be no passage to this intended quay unless one of the houses at Patrick's Bridge was taken down or the Port Cullis stopped. MARY AHERN.--On of the beams of the Port Cullis fell on her foot, and took off one of the joints of her toe ; she was four months in the Infirmary ; this was seven years ago. NICHOLAS SCOLLARD.--Had seen within the last six weeks the coachman jump off the Waterford coach, in consequence of the coach coming against the Port Cullus, and saw two men in the water, who had fallen in. MICHAEL O'BRIEN.--Was by when the man was killed, who was mentioned before by another witness. His LORDSHIP then charged the jury at considerable length ; and after eight hours deliberation, found for the Traverse. Counsel for the Traverse, Messrs. G. Bennett and Jackson; Agent Mr. O. E. Barber. Counsel for the Presentment, Messrs. J. S. Townsend, O'Connell, H. Walsh and Reeves; Agent, Mr. J. Bennett. 1--The Carlyle Bridge across the Liffey in Dublin was renamed the O'Connell Bridge. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Ireland Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.IrelandOldNews.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -