early pontoon bridges during the civil war were heavy and awkward, and required special long-geared pontoon carriers to transport them to the site of the planned river crossing. there were two main types—the french-designed wooden bateau (known in the army as a "cincinnati pontoon") and the russian pontoon, a canvas boat. both types were twenty-two feet in length and took considerable time to set up, requiring several men to lift into position and pin the individual sections together.