Can you hear that distant rumble? It is a sound that echoes through time. It comes from the trains crossing the Jangan Railway Bridge. This bridge is more than just steel and concrete. It is a vital piece of Seoul’s history.
The Jangan Railway Bridge crosses the Han River. It connects Noryangjin Station and Yongsan Station. The bridge was the first permanent river crossing. Imagine Seoul before this bridge. The only way across the Han River was by boat or across the ice in winter. Both options had risks.
King Gojong granted James R. Morse a contract in March 1896. The contract was to build a railway between Chemulpo and Seoul. Chemulpo is now Incheon. Construction of the Jangan Railway Bridge began in March 1897. Morse’s venture faced financial problems. A Japanese consortium took over in May 1897.
The initial contract included a pedestrian walkway. The Japanese consortium finished the bridge in July 1900. However, they skipped the walkway due to financial constraints. An editor from The Independent visited the railroad offices in 1897. He described the bridge as a noble-looking structure. He thought it would be the longest steel bridge in the region. The editor looked forward to a joyful train ride to Chemulpo.
There were challenges during construction. William H. Holmes arrived in Korea in early 1898. He was the company’s bridge expert. The company decided to use steel and stone. This replaced timber in the trestle work. Two more bridge spans were ordered. This increased the bridge’s length from 503 meters to 655 meters. The spans were made in the United States. They arrived in Korea in July 1898 on the steamship Yarrowdale.
The Han River was usually shallow. During summer, it often flooded. These floods washed away construction work. Horace N. Allen, the American minister to Korea, noted the delays. He mentioned the floods washing away the false work around the piers.
The Seoul-Chemulpo Railroad was sold to a Japanese firm. Allen expressed negativity and skepticism. He claimed the Japanese disregarded the American contractor’s plans. He noted that two piers built by the Japanese had subsided. Despite the problems, the Japanese offered a bonus to finish the bridge by June.
A railway journal reported that some Koreans saw the bridge as a monster. They feared it. Holmes learned that Korea kept accurate records of the Han River. These records included high-water marks, tide elevations, and ice flows. The records dated back over 500 years. The person who kept these records was called “the owner of the rivers.” This data convinced Holmes to adjust his plans.
Allen remained skeptical about the bridge’s progress. In June 1900, he wrote that the Japanese were working day and night. They wanted to finish before the rainy season. He begrudgingly admitted it would be a great convenience.
The Jangan Railway Bridge was completed on June 27. A trial run happened on July 5. Regular operations began a few days later. The Jangan Railway Bridge has witnessed Korea’s history. The Korean War saw the bridge bombed.
Today, four railway bridges cross the Han River. Each is called Hangang Railway Bridge. Bridge A was built in 1900. Bridge B followed in 1912. Bridge C was built in 1944. Bridge D opened in 1995. They carry trains and subways. They also stand as symbols of resilience. The Jangan Railway Bridge is a testament to overcoming challenges. It connects not just two stations but also the past and present. As trains rumble across, remember the history beneath your feet.