forth bridge travel

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• Description

This railway bridge, crossing the Forth estuary in Scotland, had the world’s longest spans ( 541 m ) when i t opened in 1890 . It remains one of the greatest cantilever trussed bridges and continues to carry passengers and freight. Its distinctive industrial aesthetic is the result of a forthright and unadorned display of its structural components. Innovative in style, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge marks an important milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Le pont du Forth

Le pont ferroviaire, qui enjambe l’estuaire du fleuve Forth en Ecosse   avait, quand il fut inaugur é en 1890 , les travées les plus longue s du monde (541m).  Le pont demeure l ’un des plus grands ponts cantilever au monde et il fonctionne encore quotidiennement, permettant le transport de passagers et de marchandises.  Son esthétique industrielle caractéristique résulte de la présentation , franche et dépouillée , de ses éléments structurels. Le pont du Forth, novateur dans son style, ses matériaux et son envergure, marque un jalon important dans la conception et la construction des ponts durant la période au cours de laquelle les lignes de chemins de fer se sont imposées dans les voyages longue distance par voie terrestre.

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

De Forth brug

Deze spoorbrug over de monding van de Forth rivier in Schotland is de langste cantileverbrug met meerdere steunpunten ter wereld. De brug opende in 1890 en is nog steeds operationeel. De brug heeft een bijzonder industrieel voorkomen door de zichtbaarheid van de afzonderlijke onderdelen van de structuur. De brug is innovatief in stijl, materiaal en schaal. Daardoor is de brug een belangrijke mijlpaal in het ontwerp en de bouw van bruggen in de tijd waarin de spoorwegen het vervoer over land voor lange afstanden begonnen te domineren.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

The Forth Bridge, which spans the estuary (Firth) of the River Forth in eastern Scotland to link Fife to Edinburgh by railway, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890 and continues to operate as an important passenger and freight rail bridge. This enormous structure, with its distinctive industrial aesthetic and striking red colour, was conceived and built using advanced civil engineering design principles and construction methods. Innovative in design, materials, and scale, the Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.

This large-scale engineering work’s appearance is the result of a forthright, unadorned display of its structural elements. It is comprised of about 54,000 tons of mild steel plate rolled and riveted into 4m diameter tubes used in compression, and lighter steel spans used in tension. The use of mild steel, a relatively new material in the 1880s, on such a large-scale project was innovative, and helped to bolster its reputation. The superstructure of the bridge takes the form of three double-cantilever towers rising 110 m above their granite pier foundations, with cantilever arms to each side. The cantilever arms each project 207 m from the towers and are linked together by two suspended spans, each 107 m long. The resulting 521-m spans formed by the three towers were individually the longest in the world for 28 years, and remain collectively the longest in a multi-span cantilever bridge. The Forth Bridge is the culmination of its typology, scarcely repeated but widely admired as an engineering wonder of the world.

Criterion (i): The Forth Bridge is a masterpiece of creative genius because of its distinctive industrial aesthetic, which is the result of a forthright, unadorned display of its massive, functional structural elements.

Criterion (iv): The Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in the evolution of bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel, innovative in its concept, its use of mild steel, and its enormous scale.

The property contains all the elements necessary to express the Outstanding Universal Value of The Forth Bridge, including granite piers and steel superstructure. The 7.5-ha property is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes that convey the property’s significance, and it does not suffer from adverse effects of development or neglect.

Authenticity

The Forth Bridge is fully authentic in form and design, which are virtually unaltered; materials and substance, which have undergone only minimal changes; and use and function, which have continued as originally intended. The links between the Outstanding Universal Value of the bridge and its attributes are therefore truthfully expressed, and the attributes fully convey the value of the property.

Protection and management requirements

The Forth Bridge is listed at Category ‘A’ as a building of special architectural or historic interest, giving the property the highest level of statutory protection. Its immediate surroundings are also protected by means of a suite of cultural and natural heritage designations. Owned by Network Rail Limited, the property will be managed in accordance with a Property Management Plan by the bodies that have a statutory planning function. The Forth Bridges Forum partnership has been established to ensure that local stakeholders’ interests remain at the core of the management of the Forth bridges.

Specific long-term expectations related to key issues include maintenance of strong community support, broadening understanding in the context of world bridges, attention to developments within key views, risk management, and inspiring others.

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• The Forth Bridge (in English only)

The Nomination files produced by the States Parties are published by the World Heritage Centre at its website and/or in working documents in order to ensure transparency, access to information and to facilitate the preparations of comparative analysis by other nominating States Parties.

The sole responsibility for the content of each Nomination file lies with the State Party concerned. The publication of the Nomination file, including the maps and names, does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the World Heritage Committee or of the Secretariat of UNESCO concerning the history or legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its boundaries.

State of Conservation (SOC)

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Forth Bridges

The three Forth Bridges are an impressive sight as they across the Firth of Forth, as well as providing transport links between Edinburgh and Fife.

Forth Bridge

The Forth Bridge is one of Scotland’s major landmarks, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.This magnificent railway bridge was built between 1883 and 1890 by Sir John Fowler, Benjamin Baker and over 4,500 men. Considered to be an impressive feat in engineering, it was designed on the cantilever principle, and its three towers are over 100 metres high. It stretches 2.5 kilometres between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry , and was opened on 4th March 1890 by Edward, Prince of Wales. Forth Road Bridge Work began on the Forth Road Bridge in 1958 and it was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1964. This long-span suspension bridge is 2.5 kilometres in length. Its towers are over 150 metres high and hold 49,280 km of wire in the two cables which take the weight of the suspended deck.

Following the opening of Queensferry Crossing, the Forth Road Bridge is now dedicated to public transport, cyclists and walkers. Queensferry Crossing

The Queensferry Crossing opened in 2017 and, at a length of 2.7 km, it isbe the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. The bridge is destined to become the main route for vehicles travelling between Edinburgh and Fife. You can learn more about the building of the bridges at Queensferry Museum in South Queensferry. The town was once the main point to board ferries over to Fife and is still a port today, although it’s now used by tour boats destined for the islands of the Forth.

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The Forth bridges: how to get there from Edinburgh

It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Scotland and recognisable all around the world – the Forth Rail Bridge. Once it used to be the only crossing over the Firth of Forth, the waterway north of Edinburgh but over the years a road bridge was built and more recently a third bridge spans the water, another road bridge! All 3 are a stunning sight!

I used to cross the middle bridge weekly as a child when we’d travel over to Edinburgh by car. I loved to see the red railway bridge as we drove past – it was always a huge treat and even more so if we spotted a train going over at the same time! Growing up nearby it was always a part of our history and we’d learn about it in school.

If you’re coming to visit Scotland and want to tick this bucket list bridge off then this post is for you. I’ll detail how to get there from Edinburgh, even if you don’t have a car.

A note from the writer: Hey! I’m Kirsty and I’m a UK travel expert – while I grew up in Scotland, as an adult I now return to visit almost every year – there’s so much to see! Shout (or comment below) if you have any questions about your next trip and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

About the Forth Bridges

If you’re planning to visit the bridges here’s a little bit of background to what’s there:

Forth Bridge (railway)

Completed in 1890, this is the one that you see on postcards and in guide books. It’s known as simply the Forth Bridge but with the others being built you’ll also hear it called the Forth Rail Bridge.

With the red colour looking resplendent against the water and the fabulous cantilever design, it’s a real sight to see. It’s one of many UNESCO heritage sites in Scotland and the UK and was a huge achievement in engineering from late Victorian times.

To this day it still carries trains across it and you can catch a train that will use the bridge.

Forth Road Bridge

The second bridge across this stretch of the Firth of Forth is the Forth Road Bridge which was opened in 1964. It’s a suspension bridge and at one point was one of the longest in the world.

Fun fact – my mum had a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on our wall as a child and it took me YEARS to realise it wasn’t the same one we crossed each week!

It used to be a toll crossing until 2008 when the tolls were scrapped. Nowadays it’s only used by buses, taxis, bikes and pedestrians – yes you can walk over the Forth Road Bridge! – as it was unable to handle the volume of traffic that the bridge was getting.

Queensferry Crossing

And that volume of traffic is what made the Queensferry Crossing a necessity. It’s a modern bridge, currently the tallest in Britain, that carries the bulk of the road traffic on the M90 from Fife to Lothian, and back again. It’s an impressive cable stayed structure and very different to each one before it.

Which side should you view the Forth Bridges from?

There are small towns on each side of the river – on the south shore you’ll find South Queensferry and on the north you’ll find North Queensferry.

The name of these villages comes from the fact that a ferry was used here in the 11th century to transport the then queen, Margaret, across the water. It was also the place where you’d use ferries until the bridges were built.

Having visited both sides over the years I’d say that both give really good views. If you can, and you have time, I recommend a visit to both sides. The towns are pretty, have some cafes and pubs to cater to you and you can learn all about the history of each area too.

Sample DIY day trip to the bridges If you want to make your own way to the bridges and even include a short train ride across the iconic rail bridge here’s a sample itinerary for you.

• Train from Edinburgh to North Queensferry – takes 20 mins
• Explore village North Queensferry
• Walk towards Forth Road Bridge (middle one) and use footpath to cross over to South Queensferry
• Explore South Queensferry
• Optional – take a boat trip to get a unique view
• Return bus to Edinburgh – take number 43, Lothian Bus

How to get to the Forth Bridges

You can get the train from the centre of Edinburgh over the Forth Bridge and stopping in North Queensferry. The train goes from Waverley and also from Haymarket so you can pick it up from either of those, depending on where you are based in the capital.

The train takes just 20 minutes from the centre to just over the bridge. You can then get off and explore the village getting amazing views of all the bridges spanning the water.

Check Trainline for costs and to book tickets. It’s cheapest to get an off peak day return but you will be limited to which trains you can use so do check before booking.

There are a few bus options to get you from the centre of Edinburgh to the bridges. The easiest and most straight forward is the 43 by Lothian Buses which will take you to South Queensferry. It runs every 20 minutes, and every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Another idea for you if you wanted to combine a bus and a boat trip is the Hop on Hop off bus – they have an option that includes a boat trip and the bus takes you all the way to South Queensferry. Perfect if you also want to explore Edinburgh too.

If you have a car then it’s going to be really easy to explore the bridges from any side you wish. I still recommend parking up in either South or North Queensferry (or both if you have time) to get the views from there.

There is also a viewpoint just south of the Fort Road Bridge where you can park up for free and get a great vista of all three bridges.

If you just want to cross the new Queensferry Crossing then you need to be on the M90 motorway.

If, once you’ve arrived, the views just aren’t enough and you want something even more spectacular then I suggest a boat trip that will take you right under the bridges and give you the most amazing views.

The Maid of the Forth and Forth Boat Tours run 1.5 hour long sightseeing cruises daily where you’ll also see wildlife, some of the small islands and of course, the bridges! If you have more time they do other options too.

• Maid of the Forth Sightseeing Tour
• Forth Boat Tour Three Bridges Boat trip
• Queensferry: Sightseeing cruise and Incholm Island landing

Private tour/taxi

Finally, if you really don’t want the hassle of deciphering public transport, then a private tour could be the way to explore the Forth Bridges from Edinburgh. The good thing about doing it this way is that you can often incorporate some other sights that are nearby into your day too. It’s a good way to save time, hassle and get an experts commentary on what you’re seeing too.

Taxis can also do some local tours or just take you to the area that you want to visit so don’t discount them.

If you want to explore the bridges and villages around and combine it with a boat tour then this one that takes you direct from the centre of Edinburgh is worth checking out.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Travel FAQ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Do I need insurance for traveling to Scotland?

YES! I always recommend people take travel insurance when exploring the world!

Check Travel Insurance Master for quote comparisons from different providers.

Do I need a car for visiting Scotland?

YES – If you’re wanting to explore Scotland fully then a car is worthwhile. It will get you to all the best sights and on your own timetable

I recommend DiscoverCars to compare car rental prices in Scotland

How to book accommodation in Scotland?

For hotels I recommend Booking.com

For apartments and cottages check out VRBO

Will my phone work in Scotland?

Perhaps – it depends if you have roaming enabled and beware this can be an expensive way to use your phone.

If you need a SIM for use in Scotland I recommend GiffGaff which you can get and set up before traveling.

What to pack for Scotland

Keep yourself dry be prepared for any weather is my motto for Scotland! A rain jacket and comfy shoes are a must.

See my post about what to pack for Scotland

Do I need midge spray for Scotland?

YES – if you’re traveling in the summer months to any of the west coast, highlands, islands or lochs it’s recommended.

Locals swear by Avon’s Skin So Soft !

If you’re sticking to the cities or traveling in winter, early spring or late fall then you likely won’t need it.

What’s the best guidebook for Scotland?

I really like the Lonely Planet Guidebooks

Where to get flights for Scotland

Skyscanner is my first port of call for finding cheap flights to Scotland.

Do I need a visa for Scotland?

Many countries don’t need a visa for visiting Scotland as tourists (USA, Canada, Aus, NZ and Europe) – it’s always best to check first though .

Kirsty Bartholomew

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Forth Bridge

The bridge was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker and built by Sir William Arrol & Co, a Glasgow-based company.

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All Regions / World Heritage Sites Scotland / Forth Bridge

The Forth Bridge, which spans the estuary (Firth) of the River Forth in eastern Scotland to link Fife to Edinburgh by railway, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890 and continues to operate as an important passenger and freight rail bridge.

This enormous structure, with its distinctive industrial aesthetic and striking red colour, was conceived and built using advanced civil engineering design principles and construction methods. Innovative in design, materials, and scale, the Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.

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Did you know..?

The Forth Bridge first opened in 1890

The overall length of the Forth Bridge is 2,467 metres

The main structure (portal to portal) measures 1,630 metres

The highest point of the Forth Bridge stands 110 metres above high water and 137 metres above its foundations

53,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets were used to construct the Forth Bridge

The Forth Bridge’s piers are constructed from 120,000 cubic yards of concrete and masonry, faced with 2 ft thick granite

200 trains use the bridge every day, carrying 3 million passengers each year

The total painted area of the Forth Bridge is 230,000 sq metres, requiring 240,000 litres of paint

There are 1,040 lights installed on the Forth Bridge, using approximately 35-40,000 metres of cable

57 lives were lost during the construction of the Forth Bridge

At the height of its construction, more than 4,000 men were employed

The construction of the bridge resulted in an unbroken East Coast railway route from London to Aberdeen.

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Country: United Kingdom

Year of Inscription: 2015

UNESCO Criteria: (ii), (iv), (vi)

Contact information:

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Your View at the Forth Bridge

Your View is back!  We’re delighted to announce that Your View is back , the once in a lifetime opportunity to ascend the Forth Bridge , returns this September.  Now you have the chance to see it like you never have before by entering the competition on our Facebook page  and on Instagram  

What is Your View? 

Your View is a unique opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree panorama view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline as you have never seen them before – all from a viewing platform 361 feet in the air!

For a select number of days per year, you can purchase a ticket to be taken up to the top of the North Cantilever of the iconic Forth Bridge. The Bridge has become one of Scotland’s most photographed features and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . From dawn until dusk, the views from the top are always different so your view will always be unique.

Your View at the Forth Bridge with Barnardo’s Scotland

All the money raised will go towards funding Barnardo’s vital work to support vulnerable children in Scotland . The event is brought to you in partnership with Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and The Briggers, who all donate their time, expertise and equipment free of charge – none of this would be possible without their support.

The Forth Bridge ,  which spans the estuary (Firth) of the River Forth in eastern Scotland to link Fife to Edinburgh by railway, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890 and continues to operate as an important passenger and freight rail bridge. This enormous structure, with its distinctive industrial aesthetic and striking red colour, was conceived and built using advanced civil engineering design principles and construction methods. 

Your View at the Forth Bridge Event Information

You will arrive on site to check in with a group of up to 13 people, before being taken into our Forth Bridge exhibition, hosted by The Briggers. With an archive of materials, you’ll learn about the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction. 

Following the exhibit, you will be given a safety briefing before ascending the bridge up an external metal lift on the east side of the north cantilever. Once you are on the platform, 361ft up, the group will be guided around the views with particular points of interest highlighted. A photographer will be stationed on the platform to capture memories of this once in a lifetime experience. 

Once you’ve descended, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement and printed souvenir photograph, alongside the chance to review and purchase additional souvenir items. Before leaving, you can also visit our exhibition area again and grab a photo with the human cantilever. 

Important Information

Your View is not recommended for those with a fear of heights, acrophobia or vertigo. The event is psychologically challenging and you may experience some level of fear if you are anxious at height. Unfortunately we are no longer able to make the experience fully accessible. A new hoist was installed in 2022 which requires individuals to ascend approximately 12 steps to access it. 

Detailed information regarding the event can be found on Barnardo’s event website in the FAQ section: Your View at the Forth Bridge    

You must be 18 years or over to take part in the event.   All guests will be required to provide ID at registration on the day.  This event is not fully accessible, as approximately 12 stairs need to be climbed to access the main hoist that will take you to the top of the bridge. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access to the hoist.

Competition Terms & Conditions

You must be over 18 years old to take part in this competition and the event.  All guests must show ID at registration. If you’re lucky enough to look under 21, this must be photo ID. 

Winner will receive two tickets and event brief documentation. Tickets value £160.00 *No cash alternative* 

Competition closes on 12th September at 6pm GMT. Winner will be selected at random.  Winner must agree to a photo opportunity, otherwise prize will be withdrawn, and another winner will be selected.  

Exclusive Forth Bridge experience – A view from the top of the iconic Forth Bridge, will take place on Saturday 23 September.  Ticket admission & time slot is 11:30am to 1.00pm Duration: 90 minutes 

The Forth Railway Bridge is an iconic landmark, and now you have the chance to see it like you never have before.  Enter the competition on our Facebook page  and on Instagram  

Organisers: The Forth Bridge Experience and Barnardo’s Scotland charity

PLEASE NOTE: The event runs from 8am-8pm, however you are only required to arrive at the event for your allocated time slot. Please arrive on-site 10 minutes prior to your time slot to register. 

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A waterside, up close look at the Port of Oakland and Bay Bridge

(BCN) — Novelist Gertrude Stein was wrong when she said there’s no there in Oakland. There’s definitely a very big “there” there called the Port of Oakland. While officials bicker back and forth over what to call the port’s Oakland International Airport, the 875 waterfront acres (of about 1,300 acres of the entire seaport) on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay just keeps shuffling cargo in and out of Northern California.

Most people passing through the area tend to fixate on the giant cargo cranes that urban legend says may have inspired George Lucas’ design of the intimidating Imperial AT-ATs in the Star Wars movies. But there’s a lot more going on down below.

You don’t have to have your own boat to get up close to the enormity. The port takes people out once a month until October to get a good look, and the view is incredible. As is the price, which is free.

“We sell out within minutes of tickets going on sale. We only (offer) tickets month to month,” said David DeWitt, a PR specialist for the port who acts as a tour guide this particular Friday night. “We do it every year, though we stopped for the pandemic.” “The most popular part is when we’re out by Yerba Buena Island and we go under the bridge and people get pictures of the bridge and the city behind it,” DeWitt said.

Since the trip is timed to slide under the Bay Bridge area just before sundown, it’s definitely the climax of the 90-minute tour aboard the Blue and Gold Ferry. But there’s so much more before it.

There’s a lot going on around the port and up and down the estuary that people just don’t typically see. At least not from the water.

The tour is narrated and there’s a lot of big numbers and history tossed about. According to the California Association of Port Authorities, the port serves a “local market” of over 14.5 million consumers, 34 million within a seven-hour drive, and 50% of the U.S. population by rail.

The Port of Oakland handled more than 2 million, 20-foot-long containers in 2023. That’s a lot of stuff being moved. Once the ferry pulls past the massive military transport ship, USNS John Glenn, it’s on to rows of cargo ships stacked with thousands of cargo containers on freighters being offloaded 24/7 by those giant cranes seen from the Bay Bridge and Alameda.

Seeing the operation up close from the water side, with nothing impeding the view, is absolutely fascinating. The operation is like a giant game of Tetris with stacking, restacking and fitting rectangular containers moving in and out of the port.

“The unit of measurement for these ships is called TEU, which are 20-foot equivalent units,” DeWitt said. “A lot of these are going to be like 40-footers. And so, if some of these ships carry 10,000 TEU, that means there’s at least 5,000 containers on the ship. And this is just what you see.”

Yes, we pass the infamous Howard Terminal, where the Oakland A’s wanted to build a baseball stadium. But no one talks about that this evening. Many of the other 700-plus acres of terminals and what they do are identified by the onboard narrator, as is the former Schnitzer Steel facility, now owned by Radius Recycling.

They buy and export scrap metal — mostly from vehicles — to steel mills in Asia that frequently comes back to the U.S. in the form of new cars. This evening, the mountain of twisted metal looks like special effects-enhanced aftermath of a disaster film (which may not be coincidental, since the narrator explains the company was founded in 1906 — the year of the Great San Francisco Earthquake.

The largest terminal, SSA Marine (all the port’s terminals are commercially leased out to various cargo companies), handles more than 6,000 truck transactions a day and as many as 15 vessel calls a week during the busy shipping season. The port has 18 deep-water berths for ships to dock and 33 giant cranes to load and unload ships. And, from the water, calling the cranes “giant” doesn’t feel like hyperbole.

And about those cranes, according to our tour guide: The tallest is 440 feet high — as tall as a 44-story office building. The cranes can lift 65 tons at a time, which is about the weight of a dozen elephants. One of those monsters weighs about 1,600 tons, or 3.2 million pounds.

The cranes can also lift at a speed of 230 feet per minute. They used to run on diesel fuel, but now they’re 100 percent electric. There’s no official word from the narrator whether Lucas was inspired by the design.

But seeing the real things in action makes them seem way more impressive than the big screen machines. The port’s top three export partners are China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Those containers include fruits, nuts and vegetables from the Central Valley; wine from the Napa Valley region; beef, pork, and poultry from the Midwest, and lots of other items we eat and drink every day. Most of the goods coming back are from Japan, Taiwan and China.

So as your brain nearly overloads by the relentlessly fascinating facts and figures, the breeze picks up and the boat emerges from the tightness (about 1,500 feet across) of the estuary. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park extends out on 38 acres from the middle of the port.

The area is on the site of the former Oakland Naval Supply Depot, which played an important role in World War II. At this location, civilian and military workers processed and shipped electronics, weapons, clothing, food, fuel, and medicine.

Now it’s a public park created by the port with walking paths and picnic areas. The park surrounds more than 180 acres of shallow water habitat for aquatic species and birds. The narrator said the Golden Gate Bird Alliance has identified Middle Harbor Shoreline as a “birding hotspot” and leads frequent birding tours here.

It’s open to the public from sunrise to sunset. It’s not long until the narrator points out you’re 60 feet above BART’s Transbay Tube, which makes you briefly try listening for trains. On the port’s north side, you hear about the port’s dive team — four fulltime divers constantly inspecting the ports 25,000 pilings.

On the north side is the state-of-the-art $50 million Seaport Logistics Complex on the site of the former Oakland Army Base, which was built in 1941 and closed in 1999. The base has since been divided into two parts, one owned by the port, the other by the City of Oakland. Both contain warehouses holding goods for transport.

The next leg takes the ferry toward Yerba Buena Island, which the narrator said is named after the town that became San Francisco. The island used to be called Goat Island until President William McKinley and Congress built a naval training station there.

The lighthouse on the island belongs to the Coast Guard district commander. Most people never see this view of Yerba Buena. The short leg by the island and under the west side of the bridge is worth the trip by itself.

The captain pauses for a lot of photo-taking, then it’s back down the estuary. It’s the most informative, scenic, and affordable 90-minute boat tour people may ever take. Registration for the June 14 tour started this week. There are 230 spaces available on each tour and each person may reserve up to four (4) tickets per boat tour.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The port only takes reservations online, though walk-ins are accepted 30 minutes before the tour. Go to https://www.portofoakland.com/harbor-tours .

Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.

Historic Structures

Forsythe Covered Bridge, Moscow Indiana

The Forsythe Bridge derives its name from Asa Forsythe, who operated a gristmill in the area from 1870 to 1884. The Forsythe Bridge is thought to be the longest single span bridge ever attempted by the Kennedy Firm, and at 186 feet is more than twice as long as the Offutt Bridge . The portal facades feature typical Kennedy detailing, including scroll-sawn trim and paired cornice brackets. This was the only bridge erected by the Kennedy firm in 1888, as iron bridges were proving to be strong competition for the Kennedys and others in their trade. Only four more bridges would be constructed by the Kennedy family before this tradition came to an end.

Local bridge builder Emmett L. Kennedy and his company built the Forsythe Bridge in 1888. The Kennedy family of Rushville, Indiana built nearly sixty covered bridges in their home state. Kennedy bridges are distinguished primarily by their housing; scrollwork and cornice brackets at the portals, horizontal wood siding, and whitewashed exteriors. Nearly all, including the Forsythe Bridge, use the Burr arch-truss system. At 186' long, the Forsythe Bridge is the longest single span bridge the family constructed and is an excellent example of the Kennedy family's accomplishments in bridge building. The Forsythe Bridge carries County Road 650 South across Big Flat Rock River, 2 1/2 miles northeast of Moscow, Orange Township, Rush County, Indiana.

In the early nineteenth century, several important patent designs had proved the strength and resourcefulness of covered wooden trusses. Timber bridges quickly became more popular than stone bridges since they were less expensive to construct, called for materials that were easy to come by, could span greater widths, and required skills that local builders and carpenters already possessed. The addition of roofs and siding protected the wooden truss members and joints from the elements, thereby considerably increasing their life spans. The height of the covered wooden bridge era was the 1870s.

Between 1820 and 1922, at least 600 covered wooden bridges were built in Indiana. A handful of bridge-building companies and individuals were responsible for a bulk of the covered bridges in Indiana. J.J. Daniels and J.A. Britton were each prolific builders in and around Parke County, west of Indianapolis. On the other side of the capital, three generations of the Kennedy family reigned in this industry. Daniels, Britton, and the Kennedys built at least 158 bridges in Indiana. Another company involved in Indiana covered bridge construction was Ohioan Robert W. Smith and his Smith Bridge Company, who worked out of Toledo, but built several bridges in neighboring Indiana.

In nineteenth-century Indiana, the county commissioners let bridge contracts. A similar three-member Board of Commissioners still governs the county. In the nineteenth century, the life of a bridge often began many months before its construction. A petition might be circulated and presented to the commissioners who would then agree to apportion county monies to the cause and subsequently order specifications from a local builder, an engineer, or a county employee. A call for bids would appear in the local newspaper, and often the Indianapolis newspaper, at least twice. The call would ask for proposals for bridges that followed the specifications available in the auditor's office. At the arranged date, the county commissioners would convene a special meeting to open the bids and let the contract. Contractors and builders were sometimes present at these meetings.

On May 23 rd , 1888, the Rush County Commissioners proceeded to receive sealed bids for the construction of a Bridge across Flat Rock at Forsythe. The records of the commissioners include a list of each proposal for both the superstructure and for the substructure. Twenty-three bids from fourteen different contractors were submitted for the superstructure, including one bid from the Smith Bridge Company and four separate proposals from Emmett L. Kennedy. The Columbus Company submitted the highest bid at $5,782.80, while the lowest ($3,392), came from the Wisconsin Bridge Company. At this meeting, the board accepted "the proposition of E.L. Kennedy to construct said bridge according to Plan 3 for the sum of $3700.00." Emmett Kennedy's alternate proposals, all for wooden bridges, were $4,205, $4,000, and $3,500. There is no hint in this record as to the differences between the four proposals. The Rushville Republican noted the following day that the "court was well attended by bridge builders."

At the May 23 rd meeting, bids were opened and awarded for a second bridge, this one across Mud Creek, also in Orange Township. E.L. Kennedy submitted three bids for this structure but lost to the Variety Bridge Company. This bridge must have been substantially smaller since the bids for the superstructure ranged only from $500 to $1,264.20.

While the contract for the bridge superstructure was not in the Commissioner's Records, completion of the superstructure was recorded on October 6 th , 1888. A payment of $3,800 was allowed at that date to Emmett Kennedy. The Rushville Republican noted that "the approaches are to be built by the people of the neighborhood, without expense to the county, unless the cost exceeds $600."

The masonry structures that supported the wooden trusses were often built under a separate contract. This part, called the substructure, required different skills, materials, and experts. Although sometimes the superstructure contractor was in charge, often a separate bid and contract were allowed. For example, J.J. Daniels in Parke County drafted abutments, piers, and pilings, and referred to these features in his bridge proposal specifications. However, while the Kennedys may have supervised or visited the site during construction of the abutments, the contract was actually awarded separately at Forsythe.

Bids for the Forsythe Bridge substructure (abutments) were also opened at the May 23 rd meeting. Four proposals were submitted. The commissioners awarded the contract to Smith Bussell, "his being the lowest & best bid" at $7.34 per yard for the masonry, $15.00 per thousand for the timber, 34 cents per cubic yard for the wet excavation, and 10 cents per yard for the dry excavation. On May 24 th , 1888, a contract with Smith Bussell for the substructure of the bridge was recorded. Bussell completed the work on or before August 14 th , at which time the commissioners allowed him the remainder of his pay. In total, Bussell received $2,697.20 for the Forsythe Bridge substructure.

On October 6 th , 1888, after the bridge was complete, James Keating became superintendent of the building of the approaches. In total, then, building the Forsythe Bridge cost the county at least $6,497.20.

Bridge Description

The Forsythe Bridge is composed of a 186' single-span wooden Burr arch and a twenty-two panel multiple kingpost truss. The bridge is immediately surrounded by woods, but beyond that, residences and farms stretch out in all directions. It is a quiet location and not heavily traveled, even though there is no easier alternate route. The Big Flat Rock River travels below the bridge in a southerly direction. The bridge is supported at the riverbanks by carefully pointed cut stone abutments." The stepped wing walls that lead from the roadway at each corner of the bridge down to the riverbanks are an unusual feature.

The multiple kingpost design arranges strong, vertical posts at 8'-3" intervals, connected to a top and bottom chord that run the length of the truss. Diagonal braces connect the posts to each other from bottom to top toward the center of the truss. A set of arches is then imposed upon the truss on either side of the posts and braces for added strength.

The upper and lower chords are each made up of two parallel timbers that function as a single chord. The diagonal braces fit into the vertical posts via double-step joints at both ends. The chords at both top and bottom sandwich the posts. The arches are bolted to the posts and, through that, to each other with a pair of threaded metal bolts. A small number of timber segments are connected with a lap joint to create each arch. These segments are joined at the posts, where the arch is notched into the verticals. The arches sandwich the lower chords on their way to the footing at the abutment and rest directly on skewbacks at the abutments.

Overhead tie beams sit on the top chords beside each post. Diagonal braces form X's in the overhead panels and are joined at their ends to the tie beams with mortise and tenon framing and an adjustable wooden wedge. These wooden wedges in the joints of the bracing allow for added tension as the bridge has changed with age and exposure. The roof is sheet metal covered with shingles. The eaves extend about 1' from the siding. There is a window on either side near the center of the bridge.

Heavy lateral beams, spaced regularly beside the vertical posts and on top of the lower chords, make up the floor system. Diagonal braces form X's to connect the lower chords to add lateral support. On top of the beams, irregularly spaced stringers run longitudinally across the bridge. The deck is composed of a layer of longitudinal wooden planks on top of lateral planks that in turn rest on the stringers. A guardrail runs the length of the deck and is attached to the truss.

The portal opening is 15'-9" wide, with a vertical clearance of about 13'-8". Horizontal clapboard sheathing protects the sides of the bridge, while the portal faces are of vertical planks. There is no space between the top of the sheathing and the eaves, making the bridge dark and still.' The entire bridge is painted white. The details on the portal are distinctive Kennedy touches. Wooden scrollwork, now painted dark green, decorates the face of the portal on either side of the rounded arched opening. There are five pairs of decorative brackets in the gable's cornice. In the tympanum, dark green stenciling reads "Built by E.L. Kennedy 1881."

Looking east (1980)

View from downriver, west (2004)

View from northwest of portal and approach road (2004)

View from southeast (2004)

South facade from southeast (2004)

Trusses from east to west (2004)

Abutment at northeast corner from southwest (2004)

View upriver with bridge from southeast (2004)

West portal (2004)

Wooden scrollwork and brackets (2004)

View from east to west (2004)

Arch on east side (2004)

Additional information.

• Built: 1888
• Builder/Contractor: Emmett L. Kennedy
• Address: County Road 650 South at Big Flatrock River
• City: Moscow
• County: Rush

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French researcher pleads guilty in Moscow for failing to register as foreign agent

Friday, 07 Jun 2024

French national Laurent Vinatier, an adviser to the Swiss nonprofit Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, who was detained on suspicion of gathering information on Russia's military activities, stands inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing in Moscow, Russia June 7, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

(Reuters) -French researcher Laurent Vinatier pleaded guilty in a Moscow court on Friday to a charge of failing to register as a foreign agent while gathering information on the Russian military.

Vinatier, 47, could face up to five years in prison. He was placed in pre-trial custody until Aug. 5, despite a request to free him endorsed by the French embassy.

"I apologise for not registering as a foreign agent. The most upsetting thing is that throughout the 10 years of my work I tried to defend Russia and its interests," state news agency RIA quoted him as saying in court.

Vinatier is a Russia specialist and adviser to HD, a Swiss-based conflict mediation group whose full name is the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

A short video posted by the Moscow courts service showed the Frenchman being led in handcuffs into the courtroom and ushered into a barred metal cage at the start of the hearing.

He joins a growing list of foreign nationals detained in Russia who have found themselves caught up in the crisis in relations between Russia and the West during the Ukraine war.

U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich is awaiting trial on spy charges and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva for failing to register as a foreign agent. Another American, Paul Whelan, was jailed for 16 years in 2020. All deny any guilt, and the U.S. has accused Moscow of conducting "hostage diplomacy".

Gordon Black, a U.S. soldier, went on trial in Russia's Far East on Thursday on suspicion of stealing from his Russian girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday denied Vinatier worked for the French state and described his arrest as part of a campaign of disinformation by Moscow.

FOREIGN AGENT LAW

Under Russian law, a person is obliged to contact the justice ministry and register as a foreign agent if they are involved in political activity or collecting military information while receiving financial or other help from abroad.

Russia has applied the "foreign agent" label widely in the past decade to stifle opposition and discredit opposition figures, journalists and organisations critical of the Kremlin.

A letter signed by France's consul general in Moscow, Patrice Servantie, and shown to Reuters by Vinatier's lawyer, said the scholar would not abscond if released: "Mr. Vinatier is a responsible and law-abiding citizen, he will comply with all the requirements of the law of the Russian Federation."

Russia's Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, said Vinatier was suspected to have "purposefully collected information in the field of military and military-technical activities" which could be used against the security of the state.

Vinatier specialises in Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia and has worked as an adviser to HD for 10 years, based in Geneva, according to his LinkedIn profile.

HD's website says it has operated since 1999 to "help prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflict through dialogue and mediation" in countries such as Spain, the Philippines and Libya.

Fellow academics who know Vinatier described him as a respected scholar and dismissed any suggestion he was involved in espionage.

"He is a phenomenal academic who conducted research in risky conditions for over 15 years, including in Chechnya and Belarus," said Jean-Francois Ratelle, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa.

"The FSB (Russia's Federal Security Service) kept close tabs on him," Ratelle told Reuters, saying he too had been subjected to FSB interrogations on research trips to Russia. Vinatier's arrest "underlines how dangerous conducting academic research in Russia has become", he said.

Frédérique Longuet-Marx, a French anthropologist who was Vinatier's adviser for his PhD thesis on the Chechen diaspora, said she was "very shocked" to hear of his arrest.

She told Reuters Vinatier had worked on peacemaking efforts in several countries of the former Soviet Union and authored two books on Chechnya.

(Additional reporting by Gabriel Stargardter in ParisWriting by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Peter Graff)

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Exclusive: Biden tells Muir US weapons will not be used to strike Moscow, Kremlin

President Joe Biden was adamant that U.S. weapons would not be used to strike Moscow or the Kremlin after he authorized Ukraine to use them in Russia during an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Muir asked Biden if U.S.-made weapons have already been used in Russia since he signed off on their use, limiting use to areas near the Russian-occupied Kharkiv region. The president did not directly answer, but made clear they would not be authorized to be used to target Russia's capital city or seat of government.

"They're authorized to be used in proximity to the border when they're being used on the other side of the border to attack specific targets in Ukraine," Biden told Muir of U.S. weapons. "We're not authorizing strikes 200 miles into Russia and we're not authorizing strikes on Moscow, on the Kremlin."

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MORE: Biden to tout American global leadership during trip to France

Muir asked the president about Vladimir Putin's comments overnight, that "the supply of high-precision weapons to Ukraine for strikes on Russian territory is direct participation in this war."

"Does that concern you?" Muir asked Biden.

"I've known him for over 40 years. He's concerned me for 40 years. He's not a decent man," Biden said. "He's a dictator, and he's struggling to make sure he holds his country together while still keeping this assault going. We're not talking about giving them weapons to strike Moscow, to strike the Kremlin, to strike against -- just across the border, where they're receiving significant fire from conventional weapons used by the Russians to go into Ukraine to kill Ukrainians."

For more from Muir's interview with President Biden, watch ABC's "World News Tonight with David Muir" at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Biden is in France to commemorate the day Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944, setting off a chain of events that led to the fall of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. Later Thursday, Biden plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the war effort.

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French citizen arrested in Moscow on charges of collecting military data

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MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's top state criminal investigation agency on Thursday announced the arrest of a French citizen accused of collecting information on military issues, a move that comes as relations between Russia and France have grown increasingly tense over the fighting in Ukraine.

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MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s top state criminal investigation agency on Thursday announced the arrest of a French citizen accused of collecting information on military issues, a move that comes as relations between Russia and France have grown increasingly tense over the fighting in Ukraine.

The arrest was announced just as France hosted world leaders on the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday. Russia wasn’t invited.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said the suspect, whom it didn’t identify, is accused of failing to register with authorities as a foreign agent while collecting “information about military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation.” It added that the information could be used to the detriment of the country’s security.

Russia’s state news agency Tass identified the arrested French citizen as Laurent Vinatier, an employee of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), a Geneva-based nongovernment organization.

HD confirmed Vinatier’s detention in a statement released to The Associated Press.

“We are aware that Laurent Vinatier, an adviser at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), has been detained in Russia,” it said. “We are working to get more details of the circumstances and to secure Laurent’s release.”

French President Emmanuel Macron told French television Thursday night that the French citizen was “in no way…working for France” and that he “works for a Swiss NGO founded by former UN chief Kofi Annan and which carries out diplomacy of working discussions.″

He is receiving consular protection, Macron said.

Vinatier’s LinkedIn page, which describes him as a “conversationalist,” says he has worked for the center for over a decade and indicates that he has had a focus mostly on former Soviet republics, Turkey and the Middle East over the years.

Russia’s Investigative Committee posted a video showing officers detaining the suspect at a cafe and driving him to the committee’s Moscow offices for interrogation. The charges carry a penalty of up to five years in prison.

The arrest comes during a strain in Russian-French ties that followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements about the possibility of deploying the country’s troops in Ukraine.

Moscow has warned that French soldiers would be legitimate targets for Russia if they are sent to Ukraine.

The charges against the French citizen are based on a recently approved law that requires anyone who collects information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent.

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Human rights activists have criticized the law and other newly endorsed legislation as part of a multi-pronged Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists intended to muzzle criticism of its actions in Ukraine.

Arrests on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Recent high-profile arrests include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in March 2023, and U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was taken into custody in October 2023 for failing to register as a “foreign agent.”

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

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Prominent female Russian judge plunges to her death from high-rise window in Moscow in latest mystery death

• Aiya Zhussupova , Foreign News Reporter
• Published : 14:05, 7 Jun 2024
• Updated : 14:12, 7 Jun 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

A PROMINENT female judge has been found dead after falling from a Moscow high-rise in Russia's latest mystery death.

Natalia Larina, 50, was notorious for handling high-profile political and criminal cases, punishing traitors of the Kremlin.

According to the state media, Larina left a suicide note and plunged from a high-rise window just moments away from her home.

It is alleged that the judge fell victim to "telephone scammers" last month and became upset after losing a huge sum of money.

Larina had been a criminal judge for more than 15 years before suddenly quitting Tagansky Court at the start of this year.

She had a reputation for ruling verdicts on cases against opposition political activists.

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In 2015, Larina decided to arrest Pyotr Pavlensky who was accused of vandalism for setting fire to the door of the FSB building.

She also sentenced Murat Sabanov, who had carried out a series of poisonings in central Moscow in 2019.

In 2011, Larina was the judge in the trial of a Russian Transport Ministry official who was convicted of sexually abusing his daughter.

The scammers reportedly introduced themselves as Larina's former boss and told her that her bank account was compromised.

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They convinced her that cash would be sent to fund Ukrainian forces and asked to transfer 1million rubles to a "safe account".

Larina subsequently took out a bank loan for an additional million to be moved, according to Baza.

She reported the incident to the police once she realised she had been deceived.

According to Baza, Larina became distressed after being scammed by the con artists which led to her tragic end.

But this version of events is yet to be officially confirmed.

The officials are probing the cause of her death which occurred close to her apartment on 1st Mashinostroeniya Street in Moscow.

Larina joins a long-list of Russian officials who mysteriously died since the start of Putin's invasion in Ukraine.

In December 2023, Vladimir Egorov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, plunged to his death from a third-floor window in Moscow.

The 46-year-old Egorov was a wealthy and prominent politician in oil-rich Tobolsk in western Siberia.

Just weeks prior, the deputy editor of Putin's favourite propaganda newspaper was found dead aged only 35.

The body of Anna Tsareva, 35, was discovered at her home in the capital's Bolshoy Tishinsky Lane - nearly a year after  the death of her boss Vladimir Sungorkin, 68 .

In February the same year, top Russian defence official and key figure in the funding of Putin's illegal war in Ukraine Marina Yankina, 58, also fell 160ft to her death in St Petersburg.

She was head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which is closely involved in the dictator’s invasion.

Earlier this year, the chief editor of the warmonger's state-run TV empire was also discovered lifeless after a suspected poisoning.

Zoya Konovalova, 48, who ran a channel operating near the frontlines of Mad Vlad's illegal war, was found alongside her ex-husband.

Last July, a multi-millionaire stooge for Putin mysteriously died in his office.

Anton Cherepennikov, 40, a key figure in  Putin's  spying operation, was discovered at the property in  Moscow .

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The latest mystery death came after a high-ranking businessman with links to the despot's inner circle became the 53rd high-profile figure to die.

Jun Aoki, who worked for one of the  Kremlin kingpin 's most trusted confidants, was discovered inside the iconic Stalin Skyscraper. 

You're Not Alone

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide

It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why  The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others…  You’re Not Alone.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

• CALM,  www.thecalmzone.net , 0800 585 858
• Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
• HUMEN  www.wearehumen.org
• Mind,  www.mind.org.uk , 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus,  www.papyrus-uk.org , 0800 068 41 41
• Samaritans, www.samaritans.org , 116 123
• Ukraine war
• Vladimir Putin