Albert Dock Swing Bridge

Swing bridge made by Haigh Foundry Co

Capstan for Albert Dock swing bridge

at Albert Dock, Liverpool

A rare example of a cast iron double leaf swing bridge.

Each cantilevered span or 'leaf' pivots about a cast iron post having a hemispherical top, and turns on tapered flanged iron wheels. The leaves are counterweighted, but in the event of overloading, excessive tilting would be resisted by contact between brackets on the leaf casting and pads on the fixed part of the base (see third photo). Turning is done manually by hand cranks acting through bevel gears to a pinion which engages with a large curved rack.

Note: A number of superficially similar swing bridges were used throughout Liverpool Docks, but they differed in detail and came from different makers.

See Also

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