Note: In the various articles, maps, charts, signs and plaques the name of this place sometimes has an apostrophe and sometimes doesn't. You will see it written, 'Burritts Rapids,' and 'Burritt's Rapids.' It seems there isn't a standard on this and either spelling is acceptable.
BURRITT'S RAPIDS SWING BRIDGE
Burritt's Rapids Lockstation was completed in 1831. You are standing on an embankment that was constructed to hold the Rideau Canal 15 feet (4.5 metres) above the river to the north. . . The embankment extends 2 km (1.25 miles) from Lock 17 to the tip of the Island of Burritt's Rapids and forms the spine of the Tip to Tip Trail. As you continue along the trail you can observe several of the original stone survey markers, all engraved with a Broad Arrow, that mark the border between Crown and privately owned land.
At the time of the construction of the canal, Burritt's Rapids was one of the six sites chosen for the erection of bridges. A fixed bridge was constructed there in 1832 some 900 yards (823 metres) above the lock, which permitted ships to pass under it. This bridge provided a 28 foot (8.5 metres) clearance over the water. In 1851, a timber kingpost truss swing bridge was erected on the site. This bridge was renewed from time to time during the 19th century until it was replaced with the present steel through truss swing-bridge.
The existing bridge was built in 1897 by the Central Bridge Company of Peterborough, Ontario. The bridge plate affixed to one side of the bridge has inscribed on it: "William H. Law, Engineer, Erected 1897." Law was probably the designer of the bridge or a bridge fabricator who erected swing-bridges under subcontract with the Central Bridge Company.
Of all the steel through truss swing-bridges on the Rideau Canal, this swing-bridge has the most interesting appearance. It is of an asymmetrical truss design combining a Pratt and Funk truss. Indeed, it is of a design not found on any other Canadian Canal, and is probably unique to the Rideau.
North Grenville Heritage Committee, North Grenville Historical Society
The large end of the tool on the side of the bridge, seen below, engages the notches on the circular metal plate atop the bridge's axle, seen above. The operator then walks around the axle rotating the axle and swinging the bridge.
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| CENTRAL BRIDGE & ENGINEERING CO LIM PETERBORO ONT |
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| WM H. LAW ENGINEER ERECTED 1897 |
