Overview
The Cartwheel Islands were originally four
in number and small and round in shape. They reminded Bermuda’s
chart makers of the four wheels of a chart hence their
name. Positioned in Castle Harbour in a loose line from Grotto
Bay stretching eastward, the islets were used in the manner of
stepping stones as solid foundations for the Causeway, and are
thus no longer visible.
The idea for the Causeway was first discussed
in the early 19-century and a committee was formed to study the
project. Construction, however, did not commence until the second
half of the century. The Causeway was eventually opened by Governor
Lefroy in 1871, connecting the mainland to Long Bird Island.
A new road from Baileys Bay crossed the low stone structure and
then continued eastward to swing bridge, establishing a land
route to St George's island. The whole ambitious scheme replaced
the old ferry system, dating from 1612, which operated between
Coney Island and Ferry Reach. The creation of the Causeway was
a milestone in Bermuda’s
history, for it provided a firm link from the old capital
to the burgeoning commercial life of Hamilton and the central
parishes. It also ended the isolation of Long Bird Island and
to a certain extent that of St David’s.
The Causeway was virtually destroyed twenty
eight years after it opened by a powerful hurricane of September 1899,
which necessitated a complete rebuilding.
Courtesy of: Bermuda Atlas and Gazetteer
Page 39/40
Copyright 1997 by G. Daniel Blagg
Building in Bermuda
Courtesy of the Bermuda Archives.
This article is copyright protected, if you would like copies
please contact The Bermuda Archives at 441 297 7737
Early in the 19th century at a time when the
British Colony of Bermuda appeared to be threatened by the expansionist
policies of the USA, the British government drew up plans to
strengthen the fortification of the islands, but these plans
were shelved. By the 1860’s the security of the islands
had again become an issue when differences over slavery led to
the secession of eleven southern States from the Union, and with
these, Bermudians were more in sympathy, primarily for reasons
of trade with North and South Carolina, but they feared aggression
from the northern rump of the Union in consequence. Britain officially
adopted a policy of neutrality in the civil war, which followed,
despite a moral alignment with the Federal States over their
stand against slavery, but felt it prudent to look again at
the plans for the defence of the island group.
New forts in strategic positions were decided
upon as well as an improvement in military communications by
the construction of a Causeway between St. George’s island
and the mainland of Bermuda, previously connected only by ferry.
As there was no labour force available – the convict colony
having been dissembled – the work fell to the army garrisoned
at Bermuda. Although the American Civil War ended in 1865, the
threat of an American invasion remained a cause of concern and
it was decided that work should continue.
 Lieutenant
Albert Henry Hime R.E., just 24 years old and having married
Josephine Searle in Plymouth some three months previously, arrived
in August 1866 and was given responsibility for building the
Causeway. No doubt he relished the prospect even though he had
no previous experience of such an undertaking, and would have
seen it as an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. What
was required was a road 1.8 miles long, 47% of it across a harbour,
and incorporating two bridges: one wooden and one of iron, the
latter a swing-bridge to allow the passage of ships.
The work took four years to complete. The road
was constructed to a width of 22 1/2 feet – somewhat wider
for military purposes than would have sufficed for ordinary traffic – reducing
to 15 feet and 12 feet at the wooden and iron bridges respectively;
the retaining walls were 3 feet thick and made from the local
soft stone; the iron-work for the bridge was constructed in England.
On 19 September 1871 there was a grand opening ceremony attended
by all the dignitaries on the island. Brass bands played, there
was bunting everywhere, and some 6000 inhabitants or half the
population turned out to watch the proceedings. At about 2.30
pm the Governor, May.-Gen. John Henry Lefroy RA, accompanied
by his ADC, Capt. Charles Chevenix-Trench, arrived at the western
end of the Causeway where he was met by a Guard of Honour and
given a 17 gun salute. He then received a report from Lieut.
Hime, who said in part (CO 37/201/363):
“I have the honour to announce to
Your Excellency that this Causeway is now completed, and ready
to be opened for public traffic… The works were opened
in October 1867… They
are of a solid and substantial character without any attempt
at ornament, which without increasing their utility would have
added to their expense, already very heavy in proportion to the
resources of the Colony…”
In his reply to Hime, the Governor said:
“I receive this report with the greatest
satisfaction, and I congratulate you on having associated your
name inseparably with the social history of Bermuda. I trust
in a long future career you may reap many distinctions, but
I am sure there will be nothing which you will look back upon
with greater satisfaction than having been the Engineer of
a work which adds so largely to the convenience of these Islands,
while it materially aids their military defence, and in having
executed a task of such magnitude and novelty without accident
to life or limb.”
Later adding in his speech to the assembled corporations:
“I congratulate first, the Engineer under whom it has
been brought to completion, and with the greater pride and pleasure
as he is a Royal Engineer and a fit representative of that gallant
and scientific corps whose serves are only measured by their
motto UBIQUE’.”
When Lefroy subsequently reported the day’s events to
the Earl of Kimberley, Secretary of State for the Colonies (RO:
CO 37/201/357), he said:
“The day was kept as a Public Holiday,
and the interest felt in the event attracted the largest assemblage
of people ever seen in this Colony: nothing could have been
more gratifying than the spirit displayed, or the enthusiasm
with which three cheers were given for Her Majesty. As soon
as the accounts have been made up I shall have the honour of
reporting what the total cost of this work has been, but it
will not differ much from L27,000 a very large sum for public
improvement from a Colony whose Revenue from fixed and casual
sources does not exceed L25,000.
“As your Lordship is aware, an iron
girder swing bridge 104 feet long, supported on central piers,
permits the passage of vessels at the East end of the Causeway.
This bridge has been entirely put together under the direction
of Lieut. Hime, and was worked by two men. Considering the
want of skilled workmen, the magnitude of the task, and the
short time in which it has been done, this is a work which
reflects great credit on that officer and on the NC officers
and men of the Royal Engineers employed under him. The smoothness
with which the bridge worked was entirely satisfactory. No
serious accident has occurred during any part of the works.”
In saying what he did about the opening of
the swing bridge, Lefroy was being somewhat tactful
in overlooking a hitch, as part of the bridge had warped and
there was a delay before it could be forced open and an armada
of small boats allowed through. On 25 October 1871, Lord Kimberley
replied to Lefroy (PRO: CO/38/38/22) saying:
“I have received this intelligence
with much satisfaction and I approved the terms of the speech
which you delivered on the occasion. I have to request that
you will convey to Lieut. Hime the expression of my acknowledgements
for the services rendered by him and the Royal Engineers under
his command in putting together and working the swing bridge.”
It is revealing to note that on the civil servant’s
draft letter put before him for approval Kimberley had written “If
we say too much the War Office will ask that they shall all be
made C.M.G.s” and he sent on to score out the words “zealous
and efficient” before the words “services rendered”.
His nod of approval was not, however, the only measure of gratitude
shown to Hime as he received a service of plate from an appreciative
colonial legislature.
The first of the two photos of the Causeway
that follow shows it as it was built, and then photographed by
James B. Heyl clearly a major construction, but in the great
storm of 1 September, 1880, a chunk of a span of the bridge was
swept away and a stone pier collapsed. Repairs were made, presumably
matching the original design as the bridge was still relatively
young and Hime by then had been recalled to Britain, but the
structure was again severely damaged in a hurricane on 14 September
1899. On this occasion, three-quarters of a mile of the Causeway
was destroyed and had to be rebuilt to a stronger design. The
second photo shows its current form, somewhat narrow now for
the motor traffic permitted in Bermuda only after the Second
World War.
When Albert and Josephine Hime departed for England in December
1871 they took with them the four children born since their arrival
on the islands.
 
 
Source: Lt.-Col. Sire Albert Henry Hime,
KCMG, PC. (1842 to 1919)
His associations with Bermuda, Natal and Marlow.
Hugh Grice
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