B/W print; Lambeth Bridge, as viewed looking south-east from Millbank by Topical Press, 25 May 1923
Main details
| Reference number | 1999/8095 |
|---|---|
| Description | Lambeth Bridge, as viewed looking south-east from Millbank. |
| Photographer | |
| Dates | 25 May 1923 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Photograph number | U1810 |
| Location | |
| Topics | |
| Completeness | 72% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Annotation "SCRAP IN SITU:" LAMBETH BRIDGE, LOOKING SOUTH-EAST FROM MILLBANK, 1923.
Showing the general design of the bridge, which is of a stiffened suspension type, 828 feet in length, with two pairs of suspension cables, each consisting of seven twisted small cables. The supporting piers divide the bridge into three spans, each 238 feet wide. The piers consist of four iron cylinders, each 12 feet in diameter and 1¼" thick, the lower parts filled with concrete. They are sunk to a depth of 18' below the river bed. The towers are (in themselves) 32'10" high. Designed by P.W. Barlow. For general notice see reverse of preceding photograph.
Photograph (taken May, 1923) by Topical Press. Underground copyright.
Lambeth Bridge, - Contd.
assistant, James Henry Greathead (1844-1896), decided to carry out the work himself, which he did, with success. The Tower Subway built by Greathead and Barlow was the first cast-iron shield-driven tunnel ever constructed. It remained in service until the opening of the Tower Bridge in 1894. Greathead subsequently assisted in promoting an enterprise called the City and Southwark Subway, which in 1884 obtained Parliamentary powers for the construction of a Tube between the Monument and the Elephant & Castle. The Hallidie system of cable traction was to be adopted as the motive power - Greathead was interested in introducing the Hallidie system (American) into this country. The idea of cable traction was subsequently abandoned, however, and electric traction adopted. The City and Southwark Subway Company became the City and South London Railway Company. Thus from the now derelict Lambeth Bridge came the Tube Railways of London.
The trouble with Lambeth Bridge seems to have been due to defects in the cables and not, strictly speaking, to any real engineering shortcomings. It was the first suspension bridge built with cables instead of chains. Through being unenclosed, the cables deteriorated through oxidation. As much as 16-lb. of rust was removed from the strands of a 5-foot length. The condition of the interior of the box girders was also found to be unsatisfactory, this being due to the omission to provide access to the interior, through the medium of manholes, for painting purposes. In 1887 Sir Benjamin Baker was consulted, and his examination revealed that owing to the strain on the cables the Westminster abutment had sunk about four inches at the front and had risen about two inches at the rear. Special measures were taken to adjust this defect and the bridge remained in use. In 1905, however, the weakening of the steelwork of the superstructure became so serious that vehicles crossing the bridge were limited to a walking pace, and in June, 1910, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic altogether. During the War notices were affixed to the bridge warning troops that the bridge was unsafe to large detachments marching across "in step."
Width between parapets: 31'9"; carriage-way 16'7"; footpaths: 5'3"; gradients: from 1 in 19 to 1 in 22 on north side; from 1 in 20 to 1 in 23 on south. The bridge was made toll-free when taken over by the old Metropolitan Board of Works, under the Metropolitan Toll Bridges Act of 1877 (Toll-free as from May 24, 1879).Design Attribute Value Shot long exterior -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Photographer Topical Press, 25 May 1923 -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Location Lambeth Bridge, Westminster and Lambeth, SW1 and SE11People Attribute Value People Charles White -