The only suspension bridge over the non-tidal section of the River Thames
Marlow Bridge is a road traffic and foot bridge over the River Thames in England between the town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire and the village of Bisham in Berkshire. It crosses the Thames just upstream of Marlow Lock, on the reach to Temple Lock.
There has been a bridge on the site since the reign of King Edward III which was stated in around 1530 to have been of timber. In 1642 this bridge was partly destroyed by the parliamentary army. In 1789 a new timber bridge was built by public subscription with a contribution from the Thames Navigation Commission to increase the headroom underneath.
The current suspension bridge was designed by William Tierney Clark, with chains and structure designed by Samuel Brown, and was built between 1829 and 1832, replacing a wooden bridge further downstream which collapsed in 1828.
The contractor for the stonework was Messrs Corby and Clifford of Marlow. William Hazledine supplied the ironwork. Strengthening work was carried out in 1860, mainly involving replacement of oak cross beams with iron girders, and renewing timber decking.[1]
Contemporary References to Bridge
1832 Advert (original spelling):'To be Sold by Private Contract, THE Bars of WROUGHT IRON LINKS, used in erecting Marlow Suspension Chain Bridge, containing 220 links, 10 feet long, 2 inches deep, by 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch thick, width 82 screw pins and burs to ditto, weighing upwards of four tons, made of the best hammered iron. May be seen by applying to Mr. W. Shuttle, on the premises.'[2]
1860 Advertising for tenders for repairs involving the wrought ieon lattice girders and all ironwork, and renewing the woodwork, roadway, fixing the railings, painting, etc. The contact for information was Messrs Easton, Amos, and Sons of Southwark[3]
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia