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Approvals 1915
Various activities of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company required approvals from government. This page shows approvals received in 1915.
Order in Council 1016 - Reconstruction of Bridge over Sissiboo River
In 1914 the DAR received approval of a plan of proposed reconstruction of the bridge over the Sissiboo River in Order in Council 1466 of 1914. (This Order in Council is not yet available on the Library and Archives Canada web site.) The Company then found an additional forty-nine foot span was required at the west end of the bridge. A revised plan was submitted in 1915 and approved by Order in Council 1016 of 1915. (Orders in Council are numbered beginning from number 1 each calendar year.) There were a number of conditions of the approval but these were unchanged from the previous approval.
Below is the text of the approval signed by the Governor General.
[Transcribed from a typewritten original]
P.C.1016
The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a Report, dated 3rd December, 1914, from the Minister of Public Works, representing that approval was granted by an Order-in-Council dated June 6, 1914, of the plan - No. 55587-1 dated March 19, 1914, - submitted by the Canadian Paciric Railway Company on behalf of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, under Section 233 of the Railway Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1906, showing the proposed reconstruction of the latter Company's bridge over the Sissiboo River, at Weymouth, Digby County, N.S.
The Minister states that the approval of the plan was subject to the following conditions, to which the Company had agreed:—
- 1. That the minimum clear opening for the passage of vessels between pier No, 7 and pier No. 8 be not less than 40 feet, in accordance with the original plan submitted by the Western Counties Railway Company, which originally built this line some forty years ago:
- 2. That adequate and sufficient warping piers at least equal to those at the present bridge be provided to the satisfaction of the Department:
- 3. That the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company be held fully and directly responsible for all loss and damage to ships and shipping until the new structure has been completely finished and approved by the Department:
- 4. That, if it be found necessary to close the river to navigation, on account of constructive operations, such period of closure shall be an absolute minimum to the approval of the Department:
That the applicant Company has informed the Department of Public Works that it has been round necessary to add another span forty-nine feet long at the west end of the bridge, and it has accordingly submitted an amended plan also bearing the number 55557-1, but dated November 12, 1914, and asked that the same be approved:
That the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works, at Halifax, H.S., has reported that he does not see any objection to the additional span referred to being built, and he has recommended that the amended plan be approved, in which recommendation the Chief Engineer or the Department has concurred:
The Minister, therefore, recommends that the amended plan No. 55587-1 dated November 12, 1914, submitted by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company on behalf of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, of the proposed reconstruction of the latter Company's bridge over the Sissiboo River, at Weymouth, Digby County, N.S., be approved, such approval to be subject to the conditions in the Order-in-Council of June 6, 1914, which have been already recited:
The Committee, concurring, submit the same for approval, accordingly.
[Signed:] George E. Fortin
[Marked:] Approved
[Signed:] Strathearn
[Marked:] May 8th 1915
[Marginal note on first page:] In duplicated P Co & [illegible] 10 May 15
Gallery
Scan of page one of the OIC 1016 memo.
Scan of page two of the OIC 1016 memo. Approvals.
Scan of drawing of proposed bridge.
External Links
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=ordincou&id=313583&lang=eng
Order in Council 2101 - New Pivot Pier for Existing Swing Span at the Big Joggins River
In 1914 the DAR replaced the then existing swing span at the Big Joggins Bridge with a new stronger swing span. Problems resulted from overstressing of the original swing span pier with an additional six or seven feet of height plus the heavier steel span. A plan for a new swing span pier was submitted in 1915 and approved by Order in Council 2101 of 1915. (Orders in Council are numbered beginning from number 1 each calendar year.) The Company was to be held liable for any claims made against it by fishermen or others who were inconvenienced by the swing span being out of service for months.
Below is the text of the approval signed by the deputy Governor General.
[Transcribed from a typewritten original.]
P. C. 2101
The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated 1st September, 1915, from the Minister of Public Works, submitting that the Canadian Pacific Railway Company made application on behalf of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, under Section 255 of the Railway Act, for approval of the attached plan No B-2-221, showing the new pivot pier proposed to be built under the latter Company's bridge over the Big Joggins River, Digby County, H.S.
The Minister states that the necessity for constructing the new pivot pier is explained by the fact that in the summer of 1914 the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company began the work of replacing with a new swing span the former swing span which was of inadequate weight and strength for modern traffic. For the purpose of putting in the new swing span it was necessary to increase the height of the existing pier by some six or seven feet, and the extra weight of the addition to the pier added to the weight of the new swing span caused the pier to settle unevenly and to cant about eight inches at the top;
That the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works at Halifax under date of 25rd August, 1915, reported that he had carefully examined the plan submitted by the Company and that he could find no objection thereto. He, however, made the following suggestion in his report:-
- In granting permission, however, to the Company to proceed with this construction, I suggest that it should be intimated to the Company that inasmuch as the considerable delay in the provision of adequate passage facilities through this bridge for boats, etc. has been due to causes entirely beyond the control of the Department, the Railway Company will be liable for all damages that may be caused to fishermen or others on account of the closing of this channel to navigation.
That the Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Works has concurred in the District Engineer's report and recommendation.
The Minister, therefore, recommends that authority be granted to approve the attached plan No. B-2-221. submitted by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, on behalf of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, which plan shows the new pivot pier proposed to be built by the latter Company under their bridge over the Big Joggins River, Digby County, N.S.,- such approval to be subject to the following condition:-
- That the Canadian Pacific Railway Company or the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company shall assume entire responsibility in case any claims for damages should be made by fishermen or others on account of the closing of the channel to navigation.
The Committee concur in the foregoing and submit the same for approval.
[Signed:] R.L. Borden
[Marked:] Approved,
[Marked:] 11 Sept. 1915
[Signed:] [Illegible] Fitzpatrick
[Marked:] Deputy Governor General
[Marginal note on first page:] In dup P Co, [Illegible] 13 Sept 15
[Marginal note on first page:] " " A.G. 13 Sept 15
Gallery
Scan of page one of the OIC 2101 memo.
Scan of page two of the OIC 2101 memo. Approvals.
Scan of drawing of proposed swing span pier.
External Links
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=ordincou&id=315388&lang=eng
Order in Council 2165 - New Protection Piers for New Swing Span at the Shubenacadie River Bridge
In 1911, the DAR received approval to replace the then existing lift bridge (which had a minimum 5 feet of draft at low water) with a swing span (minimum draft not noted) to meet the needs of mining and industry in the area. The 1911 approval included a requirement for construction of piers to protect the new swing bridge. A plan of the protection piers was submitted in 1915 and approved by Order in Council 2165 of 1915. (Orders in Council are numbered beginning from number 1 each calendar year.) The text of the Order in Council mentions a plan that was annexed to the order - this plan was not included in the document available from Library and Archives Canada.
Below is the text of the approval signed by the deputy Governor General.
[Transcribed from a typewritten original.]
3- P.C.2165
The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated the 13th September, 1915, from the Minister of Public Works, submitting that by Order in Council, dated 16th August, 1899, a plan showing a Bridge, and Site thereof, to be constructed by the Midland Railway Company across the Shubenacadie River at Maitland, N.S., was approved; the span provided in the bridge for the passage of vessels in the river being of the Lift type.
The Minister states that one of the conditions under which this approval was granted was that the Company would blast a channel 5 feet deep at low water through the Lift Span and its approaches from both sides;
The Minister further states that, subsequently, the industrial and mining development which took place in that district rendered the span above mentioned wholly inadequate for the requirements of navigation, and that representations, having been made in the matter, the Department, under the authority of an Order in Council, dated 14th March, 1911, concluded an arrangement with the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company (Successors to the Midland Railway Company), to change the span from the lift to the swing type and to give larger room for the passage of vessels - the Department, for the performance of this work, agreeing to contribute to the cost thereof to the extent of $23,000, on the production of duly certified vouchers;
That one of the conditions of this Order in Council of March 14, 1911, is that the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company must construct warping or protection piers in connection with the above mentioned bridge;
That the Company have recently submitted, for approval, a plan of the protection piers in question, showing the mode of their construction, &c. (Plan marked No. B-2-219 annexed);
That the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works has reported that if the piers are constructed as per plan submitted they should be entirely satisfactory, and the Chief Engineer has recommended that said plan be approved.
The Minister, therefore, recommends that under the provisions of Section 235 of the Railway Act, R.S.C., 1906, the annexed plan (B-2-219) of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, showing the protection piers to be constructed in connection with their bridge across the Shubenacadie River at Maitland, N.S., be approved.
The Committee submit the same for approval.
[Signed:] [illegible] (George E. Fortin???)
[Marked:] Approved
[Marked:] 20 September, 1915
[Signed:] [illegible]
[Marked:] Deputy Governor General
[Handwritten marginal notes on first page:]
In dup [duplicate] to [illegible] 23 Sept 15
In dup A.G. [Attorney General] 23 " "
Gallery
Scan of page one of the OIC 2165 Memo.
Scan of page two of the OIC 2165 document. Approvals.
External Links
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=ordincou&id=315452&lang=eng
Order in Council 2769 - Dominion Atlantic Relieved of Obligation to Dredge Under Its Bridge at Maitland
In 1911, the DAR received approval to replace the then existing lift bridge (which had a minimum 5 feet of draft at low water) with a swing span to meet the needs of mining and industry in the area. The 1911 approval included a requirement for construction of piers to protect the new swing bridge. The existing obligation to dredge a minimum low-water depth of 5 feet was not changed. A plan of the protection piers was submitted in 1915 and approved by Order in Council 2165 of 1915. (Orders in Council are numbered beginning from number 1 each calendar year.) A subsequent inquiry from the Company asked the Department of Public Works exactly how far each side of the bridge the 5 foot low-water minimum depth needed to be provided. The Department investigated and decided the 5 foot depth of dredging was not required to meet the practical needs of navigation on the river. The removal of the requirement was implemented by Order in Council 2735 of 1915.
Below is the text of the Order in Council signed approved by the Governor General.
[Transcribed from a typewritten original.]
P.C.2735
The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated 13th November, 1915, from the Acting Minister of Public Works, representing that an Order in Council was passed on August 16, 1899, approving the plan of a Bridge and Site thereof to be constructed by the Midland Railway Company, across the Shubenacadie River at Maitland, N.S., - the span provided in the bridge for the passage of vessels being of the Lift Type;
That one of the conditions under which this approval was granted was that the Company would blast a channel 5 feet deep at low water through the Lift Span and its Approaches from both sides.
The Minister states that subsequently, the industrial and mining development which took place in that district rendered the Span above mentioned inadequate for the requirements of navigation and representations having been made in the matter the Department of Public Works, under the authority or an Order in Council, dated March 14, 1911, was authorized to conclude an arrangement with the Dominion Atlantic Railway company (successors to the Midland Railway Company), to change the span from the Lift to the Swing Type and to give larger room for the passage of vessels,- the Department for the performance of this work agreeing to contribute to the cost thereof to the extent of $23,000 on the production of duly certified vouchers;
That the obligation on the part of the Company to dredge a channel of the depth mentioned in the Order in Council of August 16, 1899, was retained in the Order in Council of March 14, 1911, the understanding being that the Department would contribute to the cost of this channel for the portion of it extending beyond the area which was to be blasted in accordance with the plan of the Bridge originally approved;
That, on a request made on behalf of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company to define the exact nature of the liability imposed on the Company by the above condition, the matter was fully investigated, and the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works, in his report, states that the blasting of the channel provided for, from a practical standpoint, is not necessary. He adds that the only time at which the river is navigable at that point is at high tide, when the depth is about 30 feet, and that at any other time, the current is too rapid to allow the passage of vessels;
That the Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Works, in view of the report of the District Engineer, has advised that the Company be relieved of the obligation to dredge the channel above mentioned.
The Minister, on the advice of the Chief Engineer of the Department of Public Works, recommends that the Orders in Council of August 16, 1899, and March 1911, be amended so as to relieve the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company of the obligation of dredging a channel under its bridge across the Shubenacadie River at Maitland, N.S., as provided for in the said Orders in Council.
The Committee concur in the foregoing recommendation and submit the same for approval.
[Signed:] R.L. Borden
[Marked:] Approved
[Signed:] Strathearn
[Marked:] Nov 27th 1915
[Marginal note on page one:] In dup P W 29 Nov 15
[Marginal note on page one:] " " A G. 29 " "
Gallery
Scan of page one of the OIC 2735 Memo.
Scan of page two of the OIC 2735 Memo.
Scan of page three of the OIC 2735 document. Approvals.
External Links
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=ordincou&id=316023&lang=en
