Oldest remaining timber truss bridge in NSW.
About 150 Bennett truss bridges were constructed between 1858 and 1886, but only two remain today. Clarence Town Bridge is the oldest of the two by 2 years.
Longest span Bennett truss remaining in NSW.
Each of the two spans between cast iron piers on this bridge is 100’ (over 30 m).
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FAST FACTS
Constructed: 1880
Current Status: Operational
Strategy: Retained
Listings: SHR, S170, LEP, National Trust
ENGINEERING DETAILS
Truss Type:
100’ Bennett (Old PWD)
Geometry: 2 truss spans, 4 approach spans, total length approximately 115 m.
IMAGES FOR DOWNLOAD
ABOUT THE BRIDGE:
Clarence Town Bridge over the Williams River is a Bennett type timber truss bridge (also called an Old PWD truss named after the Department of Public works) which has been assessed as being of State significance, and is listed on the State Heritage Register (SHR). Located on the edge of the town of Clarence Town, the bridge is in a pleasant rural setting. The bridge was constructed by the Department of Public Works in 1880 and is under the care and control of Transport for NSW. Tenders for public works for a bridge over the Williams River at Clarence Town were called on 3 December 1878.[1] The successful tenderer was JK McKenzie. The work had begun by April 1879. The site chosen was below a natural crossing:
“The proposed bridge over the Williams, in the construction of which so many are particularly interested just now, as it will abridge the distance to the Barrington reefs, has been commenced, and although the contract time extends over two years, it is expected that it will be ready for traffic in eighteen months. The cylinders are on the site each side of the river, and a great deal of timber lies squared ready for use. The site is a little below the old ford, the dangers incidental to the crossing of which were shown by the drowning of two bullocks the other day, in a team belonging to Mr. Cutter, the driver narrowly escaping the same fate. A bridge has long been wanted, but until the advent of Mr. Johnston as representative for the electorate, no steps were taken to induce the Government to erect one. The altitude of the structure will secure its use even at the highest floods, and the employment of cylinders will reduce the danger of its being swept away. As soon as it is finished we may expect a large traffic by the road to the Barrington, and our townspeople cannot fail to come in for some of the benefits of it”.[2]
As Figure 1‑2 shows, the bridge was built at the punt crossing. Residents were so delighted that construction had started that they threw an Easter ball to celebrate the thoughtfulness of Mr Johnston.[3] The project was delayed by a severe flood in in August 1879. Eight cast iron cylinders for the new bridge were swept away, possibly before they were installed. A boat was sent down the river to Newcastle to bring up the necessary apparatus for retrieving them, as they were ‘too valuable to be abandoned without an attempt to recover them’.[4] Unfortunately, of the eight cylinders which were swept away, only three were fit for use. The other five were either split or broken, so the contractor had to proceed to Sydney to get new ones to replace those that were injured beyond repair.[5] Work continued, despite the setback.[6]
The bridge was finally completed, inspected by Mr Gordon, the Superintendent of Roads, and opened to traffic in late May 1880. The official opening and naming ceremony was on the Queen’s Birthday, Monday 30 May 1880, with the assemblage numbering between two and three hundred.[7] Mrs William Johnston presided and ‘appropriately named the bridge “The Brig O’Johnston,” amid much cheering, breaking the bottle with one effort’. A picnic and a commemorative dinner and dance in the School of Arts followed:
“Many speeches were given in response to toasts proposed, and a commendable degree of enthusiasm was shown for the accomplishment of the work that was being celebrated—viz., the bridging of the river at Clarence Town by a high-level structure, capable of withstanding the pressure of the heaviest bulk of water”.[8]
Figure 1‑2: Construction of the New Bridge with river punt, circa 1878–1879 
Source: RL Ford, Clarence Town: Erring-I to river port, p 223.
Source: RL Ford, Clarence Town: Erring-I to river port, p 223. Figure 1‑3: Brig O'Johnston Bridge, shortly after opening 
Source: RL Ford, Clarence Town: Erring-I to river port, p 221.
Source: RL Ford, Clarence Town: Erring-I to river port, p 221. References
[1] "TENDERS FOR PUBLIC WORKS", New South Wales Government Gazette, 3 December 1878, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article223756845, cited by Parry, August 2018.
[2] "CLARENCE TOWN", Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 12 April 1879, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article136008226, cited by Parry, August 2018.
[3] "CLARENCE TOWN", Australian Town and Country Journal, 12 April 1879, cited by Parry, August 2018.
[4] "CLARENCE TOWN", Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 23 August 1879, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article135963270, cited by Parry, August 2018.
[5] “CLARENCE TOWN”, Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tuesday 2 September 1879, p 5.
[6] "CLARENCE TOWN", Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 15 December 1879, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article135966164, cited by Parry, August 2018.
[7] “CLARENCE TOWN”, Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tuesday 1 June 1880, p 7.
[8] "Opening of the New Bridge at Clarence Town", Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 2 June 1880, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133856472, cited by Parry, August 2018.