(This bridge was constructed by Major F. J. Elmer, VC, RE, and the 4th Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners).
- General
After the arrival of the Relief Force in Chitral in May 1895, and in view of the possible future British occupation of Chitral, the General Officer Commanding and the Commanding Royal Engineer selected a site for a suspension bridge over the Chitral River. The selection also took into account the defense of the fort on the right bank of the river. - Site
The site was located approximately 1½ miles below the old Chitral Fort. At this point, the river was 291 feet wide. The bridge deck level was raised about 10 feet above the riverbed to guard against the danger of exceptionally high floods. - Materials
All timber for the frames, bridge supports, and roadway was brought from a distance of 40 miles, from an elevation of about 3,000 feet. The large timber pieces were of softwood, which required heavy labor to work.
The only material available for the bridge cables was telegraph wire, which had a tensile strength of 2,000 pounds per square inch. - Work
The 4th Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners, reached Chitral on 21 August 1895. Prior to their arrival, Lieutenant Freeland had already begun preparatory work at the site. - Bridge Foundations
The bridge foundations were laid to a depth of 5 to 6 feet into the riverbed. Each foundation was 12 feet wide and 15 feet high. - Frames
The frames constructed for the bridge were 51 feet high and were built using compound legs to support the load of the bridge superstructure. - Cables
Each cable had a strength of 116,000 pounds and was installed using special techniques to ensure the stability of the bridge.
Construction of the bridge commenced on 22 August 1895 and was completed by 30 August 1895.
Along with the bridge, a roadway was also constructed. - Research: Amjad Ali Utmankhel
Reference: Engineer Operations, Chitral Relief Force, 1895.