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Bridge over Tyne
Posted by Colin Thompson on 1/10/2025, 12:26 pm
I saw a photo of a wooden bridge over the Tyne where the swing bridge now stands - - it was slightly curved but wide and low. The bridge was demolished in 1868 to make way for the swing bridge. It's the only picture I have ever seen of that bridge
Re: Bridge over Tyne
Posted by Norman on 1/10/2025, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Bridge over Tyne "
I've checked various River Tyne bridges History & here it is.
Newcastle-Gateshead Swing Bridge which spans the River Tyne is one of the region's must-see heritage landmarks. The Swing Bridge was built by the River Tyne Commission,under powers conferred by the Tyne Improvement Act of 1861,as part of their overall plan to improve navigation and expand trade by opening the upper reaches of the river to larger vessels. Work on the bridge began in 1873 and it was designed and constructed by Sir W.G. Armstrong and Company Limited of Elswick. It was first used for road traffic on the 15th June 1876 and opened for river traffic on the 17th July 1876. The Swing Bridge is the fourth bridge to have been built on the same site over the Tyne at Newcastle. The first, constructed of wood and stone in c120 A.D. by the Emperor Hadrian, was known as Pons Aelii, Aelius being the patronymic of the Emperor. This bridge stood until 1248 when it was destroyed by a fire, that also destroyed a great part of the town. The second or Mediaeval Bridge was of stone construction and stood from 1320 until 1771 when a section was washed away in the great flood of 1771. The remaining portions had to be removed and the third bridge, constructed of stone with nine arches, was completed in 1781. This bridge was removed by the Commission to make way for the construction of the Swing Bridge. Up to the 31st December 1981 the Bridge opened 286,281 times enabling 448,090 vessels of over 220 million total net tonnes to pass through. In contrast, today the Bridge in 2019 opened approximately 4 times per week. Today, the Bridge is unfortunately unable to open due to technical difficulties, however it is hoping to be back open in time for its 150th anniversary in 2026.
Just remembered the blind beggar called Thomas Ferens who stood exactly in the middle of the swing bridge, half in Newcastle and half in Gateshead. The police couldn't nab him as he could just move to one side of the bridge!!!
The bridge in question is a temporary wooden bridge where the swing bridge now stands it was wide and low. I would put a photo of it on here if I knew how ha ha.
Colin, Put the photo handy eg on your desktop. Then click the tiny blue box below this box titled upload image. then click agree when a box appears. Then click the big white arrow. Left click your Bridge image. It will then say 'UPLOAD' so click that. Then the CODE will appear on your message like this pic Thats it I live in Hebburn if you'd rather pop in and I can show you.
