Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,675 pages of information and 247,074 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Swing Bridge, Newcastle: Difference between revisions

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Hydraulic swing bridge connecting Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead.
Hydraulic swing bridge connecting Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead.


1868 Work started at the initiative of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. The main structure, including its hydraulic equipment, was  made by [[Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co]]. of Elswick.
1868 Work started at the initiative of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. The main structure, including its hydraulic equipment, was  made by [[W. G. Armstrong and Co|Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co]]. of Elswick.


1874 The [[River Tyne Improvement Commission|Tyne Commissioners]] were making rapid progress with the [[Swing Bridge, Newcastle|swing bridge]] over the Tyne at Newcastle<ref>Engineering 1874</ref>
1874 The [[River Tyne Improvement Commission|Tyne Commissioners]] were making rapid progress with the [[Swing Bridge, Newcastle|swing bridge]] over the Tyne at Newcastle<ref>Engineering 1874</ref>

Latest revision as of 12:15, 27 February 2023

An 1875 photo taken during construction. The travelling crane is relatively sophisticated for a site crane, being powered by a high speed rope drive. The photo is from Newcastle Libraries via the Co-Curate website[1], where it is stated to be in the public domain, free of copyright.
Image dated 2013.
The attractive control tower has a quaint appearance which belies the sophistication and strength of the bridge
Note the considerable thickness of the top flange of the approach span girders, comprising numerous layers of iron plate riveted together
W. G. Armstrong and Co Steam-driven hydraulic pump which originally powered the swing bridge, now on display at the Discovery Museum, Newcastle

Hydraulic swing bridge connecting Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead.

1868 Work started at the initiative of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. The main structure, including its hydraulic equipment, was made by Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co. of Elswick.

1874 The Tyne Commissioners were making rapid progress with the swing bridge over the Tyne at Newcastle[2]

1876 Bridge commissioned. The length of the moving part is 281feet and it weighs 1450 tons.

1959 The pumps were electrified but the original hydraulic engines are still in use moving the bridge.

See Geograph photos here and here showing original hydraulic motors and new pumps.

See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. ↑ [1] Co-Curate website: Newcastle Swing Bridge
  2. ↑ Engineering 1874
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