I am actually researching the history of a ferry service located near Jamestown SC crossing the Santee River. In my research, the railroad and ferry (which sat side by side) have crossed into my research. I found a 1942 photo from the Charleston News & Courier discussing the end of the ferry service. In the background of the photo is the railroad bridge crossing. The center structure of the bridge is circular and two out buildings are on either side of the bridge. The Wateree & Santee Steamboat company use to travel up and down the river and stop at Lenud's Ferry. I am assuming the railroad bridge could swing open to allow passage but I haven't found any documents that support my guess. The center structure is now actually empty except for a few gear parts. I was wondering if this was a common bridge construction?
db:Welcome to Trainboard. Railroad bridges over waterways where clearance was insufficient for water traffic commonly were built to raise (at one or both ends), pivot, or swing to clear navigation. Couldn't see the structure you refer to in Google maps or images, so don't know what type of structure you are seeing, but probably the remains of a swing bridge like this one: http://presentationrentals.blogspot.com/2007/04/oshkosh-railroad-bride-begins-operation.html ,or this: http://marinas.com/view/bridge/16_Mobile_River_CSX_Railroad_Swing_Bridge_AL . If I'm up the wrong creek, try to find a link to a photo, and someone will make a better guess. :tb-err: Bob C.
