SAM'L L. SMEDLEY, Chief Engineer and Surveyor.
Department of Public Works,
BUREAU OF SURVEYS,
City Hall, Broad and Market Streets.
Philadelphia, March 9,1889.
Theodore Cooper, Esq.	
35 Broadway, New York. 
Dear Sir:
The old superstructure of the Schuylkill Permanent bridge was entirely removed in 1850, 
and the piers taken down to about 14 feet above high tide, marked S.T., on sketch enclosed.
They were built up vertical with new masonry about 5 feet making the pier 42 feet long on top.
A Burr bridge was erected having three lines of trusses with arches arranged for a double railway, 
22 feet wide, a roadway 26 feet , and a footway 5 l/2 feet wide outside the south arch. 
It had a roof, but was opened at the sides.
Yours truly,
Samuel L. Smedley
Chief Engineer and Surveyor.