Weymouth Swing Bridge (1824)
1824 'WEYMOUTH, Jan. 17. — On the opening the New Bridge across the harbour, on Monday morning last, as early as 4 o'clock. Mr. G. P. Scott drove over the Magnet Coach, the horses being decorated with ribbons entwined with evergreens. He had the honour of paying the first accustomed toll; next followed two waggons laden with strong beet, from Col. Bower's brewery at Dorchester. It was observed that the firmness of the fabric is evident when passing over the centre iron arch, as less noise is occasioned by the pressure of heavy wheels, than on the old wooden bridge; the horses (though high mettled) in consequence shewed not the least symptom of alarm, being contrary to the expectation of some who expressed their fears on this head. Many good judges of architecture have expressed unreserved encomiums on the whole building, for beauty, symmetry, and solidity. It is undoubtedly a great and useful ornament to the town, and we anticipate that the future drives towards Wyke and Portland will be more frequent than has ever been known. The mechanism displayed in the iron swing entitles Messrs. Fowler and Jones to our highest praise. The facility with which vessels will be enabled to pass through is a great accommodation to those trading to this port. Indeed, on surveying the whole, we feel it a duty again to revert to the ability and ingenuity displaced by G. Moneypenny, Esq., the engineer, and D. Mackintosh, Esq. the contractor.'[1]
The central section was widened and altered in 1885, from an arch to a flat construction.[2]
The swing bridge was replaced by a bascule bridge in the 1920s. Masonry from the old bridge was used to build a bridge at Briantspuddle.