Inkerman Bridge | |
---|---|
![]() First train from Bowen to cross the Inkerman Bridge, 1913 | |
Coordinates | 19°38′23″S147°23′43″E / 19.6396°S 147.3952°E |
Carries | North Coast railway line |
Crosses | Burdekin River |
Locale | McDesme (north), Home Hill (south), Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia |
Followed by | Burdekin Bridge |
Characteristics | |
Total length | 830 yd 1 ft (37.7 chains; 759.3 m) |
No. of spans | 129 [1] |
History | |
Construction start | 1912 [2] |
Construction end | 1913 |
Construction cost | £18,000 |
Opened | 8 September 1913 |
Location | |
![]() |
The Inkerman Bridge was a railway bridge over the Burdekin River between McDesme and Home Hill, both in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. It was in operation between 1913 and 1957 after which it was replaced by the Burdekin Bridge (also known as the Silver Link). [3] [4]
The Inkerman Bridge was built as part of the North Coast railway line along the Queensland coast that ultimately linked Brisbane to Cairns by rail. Construction commenced in 1912 and the bridge officially opened on Monday 8 September 1913. [3] [4]
The bridge was low-lying and the Burdekin River frequently flooded. As a result, the bridge was frequently closed due to water over the bridge or because the bridge was damaged by floods leading to months of closure while it was repaired. [5] [6] [7] [8]
On 8 March 1945 a goods train was swept off the bridge in a sudden surge of flood water. Two people drowned, while four others survived by freeing the cattle on board and then "rode" down the river holding onto the steers until they were rescued downstream at various locations as far as Rita Island. The bridge went at least 11 feet (3.4 m) under water in that flood. The disaster renewed demands that a higher-level bridge be built. [9] [10]
In 1947 a project commenced to build a high-level road-and-rail bridge to replace the Inkerman Bridge, but owing to the sandy soil without any rock to provide foundations for a higher bridge, it took ten years to design and construct the Burdekin Bridge which opened on 27 March 1957. [11]
Some remnants of the old bridge are still visible 100 metres (330 ft) downstream (east) of the Burdekin Bridge. [12]
The Burdekin River is a river in North and Far North Queensland, Australia. The river rises on the northern slopes of Boulder Mountain at Valley of Lagoons, part of the western slope of the Seaview Range, and flows into the Coral Sea at Upstart Bay over 200 kilometres (124 mi) to the southeast of the source, with a catchment area of approximately 130,000 square kilometres (50,000 sq mi). The Burdekin River is Australia's largest river by (peak) discharge volume.
Ayr is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. It is the centre of a sugarcane-growing region and the administrative centre for the Burdekin Shire Council. In the 2016 census, the locality of Ayr had a population of 8,738 people.
Giru is a town and coastal locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia, situated on the Haughton River, 54 kilometres (34 mi) south-east of Townsville. In the 2016 census, the locality of Giru had a population of 354 people.
Home Hill is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Home Hill had a population of 2,954 people.
The Burdekin Bridge spans the Burdekin River between the towns of Ayr to the north and Home Hill to the south, both in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. Located on the Bruce Highway which is part of Highway 1, it is an important link in the national road network. It is a road-rail bridge which provides high flood immunity link between north and south Queensland.
North Queensland or the Northern Region is the northern part of the Australian state of Queensland that lies just south of Far North Queensland. Queensland is a massive state, larger than many countries, and its tropical northern part has been historically remote and undeveloped, resulting in a distinctive regional character and identity.
Inkerman is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Inkerman had a population of 145 people.
The Ross River Dam is a rock and earthfill-filled embankment dam across the Ross River, located between Kelso and Mount Stuart in the City of Townsville in northern Queensland, Australia. Built initially for flood control, Lake Ross, the impoundment created by the dam, serves as one of the major potable water supplies for the region.
Millaroo is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Millaroo had a population of 96 people.
The Johnstone River, comprising the North Johnstone River and the South Johnstone River, is a river system in Far North and North Queensland, Australia.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu was a powerful late-season tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage across parts of Queensland, Australia in April 1989.
The Great Northern Railway is a 1067 mm gauge railway line in Queensland, Australia. The line stretches nearly 1,000 kilometres linking the port city of Townsville, Australia to the mining town of Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Along with a passenger service called the Inlander, it is a major freight route connecting the Mount Isa Mines to the Port of Townsville. In 2010, the line moved 5.8 million tonnes of cargo, and this is expected to increase significantly in coming years.
Maxwelton is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Richmond in central north Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Maxwelton had a population of 22 people.
John Melton Black (1830–1919) was a pioneer of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Black ordered the expedition of Cleveland Bay to find a suitable site for a port and then established the Port of Townsville and the associated town of Townsville. He served for two terms as Mayor of Townsville.
Dotswood is a rural locality in the Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census Dotswood had a population of 101 people.
McDesme is a rural locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census McDesme had a population of 277 people.
Fredericksfield is a rural locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census Fredericksfield had a population of 219 people.
Groper Creek is a coastal town and rural locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Groper Creek had a population of 62 people.
John By Durnford Marlow was an officer in the paramilitary Native Police force in the British colony of Queensland. He served in this corps for fourteen years and was stationed at frontier sites such as the Maranoa Region, Port Denison and on the Burdekin River. Marlow, by leading armed escorts of troopers, was also intrinsically involved in the expeditions which led to the establishment of the towns of Cardwell and Townsville.
Mount Lawless is a rural locality in the North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Mount Lawless had a population of 9 people.