Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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Tyne Bridge in 1927

Posted by Norman Dunn on 3/2/2025, 9:44 am

A few years ago I called into a Jarrow History Society meeting & afterwards gave a lady called Marguerite Nicol a lift home to Hebburn.
I think Marguerite was born 1927.
During our long chat she mentioned her dad, a Hebburn man, worked on the New Tyne Bridge & told her if anyone fell in, there was a chap in a little boat ready to rescue you.
Her dad told her only one man died and it was because he was always 'carrying on' and taking risks.

Re: Tyne Bridge in 1927

Posted by John Shearer on 3/2/2025, 2:21 pm, in reply to "Tyne Bridge in 1927"

What a fantastic photograph Norman thanks.

Re: Tyne Bridge in 1927

Posted by Allan Campbell on 3/2/2025, 3:05 pm, in reply to "Tyne Bridge in 1927"

That photo raises a lot of questions.

First was the northern approach span in place at the time of the photo. I assume that it was or how would they get materials to build the main deck.

The materials will have come from Dormans factory In Darlington and crossed the river on the Swing Bridge or the High Level Bridge I assume.

I wonder why they didn’t build out from the Gateshead side there must have been a good reason.

How did they get the cranes on the top of the Arch up there.

Clever lot. Allan C.

Re: Tyne Bridge in 1927

Posted by Brian on 3/2/2025, 3:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Tyne Bridge in 1927"

Allan could the materials have come by rail or even by water, I wonder if they had the vehicles available to bring them North and the road approach to the Swing bridge was and is not exactly straight but quite curved in places.

Dorman Long

Posted by Allan Campbell on 3/2/2025, 3:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Tyne Bridge in 1927"

I cannot find where the various works were other than Redcar Steelworks. I know Darlington and Middlesbrough but all gone.

They could have moved the steel for the Tyne Bridge by Rail.

I never visited Cleveland Bridge, Redpath’s or Dormans.

Every steelwork designer had a Dormans handbook a “Bible”. A very thick book.

Allan C.

Re: Dorman Long

Posted by Brian on 3/2/2025, 4:44 pm, in reply to "Dorman Long"

I was curious because of the access to the areas at the time and wondered of the access from the swing bridge, the high level may have been a better option or a crossing higher up the river to give a better approach to site at the time.

Re: Dorman Long

Posted by Sheila on 3/2/2025, 6:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long"

Was Sydney Harbour bridge copied from the Tyne bridge. Did Dorman Long not have something to do with it.

Re: Dorman Long

Posted by Tom Barker on 3/2/2025, 8:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long"

The Newcastle bridge was built in 1928 the Sydney Harbour bridge was built in 1932 both were built by Doorman Long.
I walked over the top of the Sydney Harbour bridge in 2018

Sydney Harbour Sheila

Posted by Allan Campbell on 3/2/2025, 8:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long"

It’s not a copy of the Tyne Bridge totally different but on a similar design basis.

Just compaired the two.

Allan C.

Re: Sydney Harbour Bridge for Sheila and Allan

Posted by Steve in Australia on 4/2/2025, 12:50 am, in reply to "Sydney Harbour Sheila "

I believe there are at least three of this design....

Number one..... The Tyne Bridge.

Number two..... The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Number three..... Hells Gate Bridge in New York USA

I believe there may be one or two others of this design, but I don't know exactly where they are.

Tyne, Sydney and Hells gate bridges

Posted by Allan Campbell on 4/2/2025, 8:28 am, in reply to "Re: Sydney Harbour Bridge for Sheila and Allan"

The Hells Gate bridge came first then the Tyne Bridge followed by the Sydney Harbour Bridge

All similar being Arch bridges but the steelwork at the abutments different. That no doubt because of greater loading as The Tyne bridge does not carry rail traffic unlike the other two.

Why Arch bridges and not suspension bridges. Possibly to do with the ground that they were built on apart from the technology at the time. I have no idea.

Allan C.

Re: Tyne, Sydney and Hells gate bridges

Posted by John Shearer on 4/2/2025, 12:21 pm, in reply to "Tyne, Sydney and Hells gate bridges"

I think the reason it was not a suspension bridge is because the lenght of anchoring cables required.

Re: Sydney Harbour Bridge for Sheila and Allan

Posted by Sheila on 4/2/2025, 8:55 am, in reply to "Re: Sydney Harbour Bridge for Sheila and Allan"

Thanks Steve, I just remember reading something along the lines of Tyne bridge and Sydney harbour bridge being copied or of a similar design.

Re: Dorman Long

Posted by Stan Wears on 3/2/2025, 8:50 pm, in reply to "Dorman Long"

Allan you're referring to the the red Dorman Long steelwork handbook. It gave all sizes, steel composition and tech data like property values for design. They are virtually priceless now. I would like one but as I say, if you do find one, it's a goldmine!

Re: Dorman Long handbook

Posted by Allan Campbell on 3/2/2025, 9:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long"

Remember it well Stan.Ditched mine in about 1976 as no longer required having changed jobs with the company.

I think I gave it to one of the lads in the design office.

Allan C.

Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan

Posted by Allan Campbell on 5/2/2025, 6:48 am, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long"

Stan you can buy one on e bay or Amazon for about £15.

Allan C.

Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan

Posted by Stan Wears on 5/2/2025, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan"

Ain't seen one Allan but I'd love one!

Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan

Posted by Stan Wears on 5/2/2025, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan"

Come to think of it Allan, remember Chapmans Workshop technology parts 1,2 and 3?

Stan

Posted by Allan Campbell on 5/2/2025, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Dorman Long handbook for Stan"

Never seen them and wouldn’t unless relevant to structural design.

Will Google them though.

Allan C.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.