Lambeth Suspension Bridge
Lambeth Suspension Bridge crossed the River Thames. It was 828 feet long, with three spans of 268 ft. Designed by Peter William Barlow, constructed by Porter and Co and opened as a toll bridge in 1862.
It had a solid-looking appearance, by the standards of suspension bridges, reflecting the designer's determination to provide a relatively stiff structure. Despite this, by 1910 its condition had deteriorated and it was restricted to pedestrians. It was demolished and replaced by the present bridge, constructed 1929-32.
Suspension was by iron wire cables made by R. S. Newall and Co. Each hanger had twin vertical rods, stiffened laterally by diagonal bracing. X-bracing was installed between hangers. The decks had massive longitudinal wrought iron box girders beams, with wrought iron cross beams topped by 3/8" iton plates.
The piers in the river were made of hollow brickwork cylinders within cast iron cylinders. Embedded in the top were the towers, assembled from wrought iron plates. These were fabricated in J. H. Porter's works in Staffordshire and each was shipped in one piece, and lifted from the barge onto its baseplate on the pier.
In August 1862 The Engineer stated that 'It is confidently expected that the bridge will be finished in about two months; if so, this will be not only the cheapest bridge over the Thames, but also the most expeditious piece of bridge building on record, taking into consideration its magnitude and span.' In 1893 they wrote that it was the ugliest bridge anywhere. Elegant it wasn't, but we would not now regard the Victorians as arbiters of good taste, noting the widespread dislike of unornamented surfaces!
'In 1879, when it was taken over by the Metropolitan Board of Works, its condition was so far from satisfactory, the cables and girders having suffered greatly from rusting. As much as 16 lb. of rust are stated to have been removed from a piece of cable 5ft. long.'[1]
Strengthening work was carried out in 1887.
1904 '... as long ago as 1887 Sir Benjamin Baker reported that an examination of the drawings alone was sufficient to warn an expert that it had not been designed by an experienced engineer. Sir Benjamin discovered a number of defects, including a movement of the Westminster abutment and a fracture in one of the anchorages. Temporary repairs were were carried out at a cost of £2984. Recently portions of the bridge have been opened up, and the result has been to show that the condition of the ironwork is dangerous, and it has in places been seriously eaten into by rust. Such precautions as could be taken by means of scraping and tarring have been ordered, but these are only regarded by the Committee as temporary expedients. There is, apparently, no doubt whatever that the bridge is dangerous, and should be at once replaced. .....'[2]
1903 and 1904 the reconstruction of Lambeth Bridge was again proposed, but on both occasions nothing was done.[3]
1905 it was necessary to restrict vehicle crosing the bridge to 2.5 tons in weight, and to walking speed
1910 in the interest of public safety, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic.
1912 'In 1905 - that is to say, no less than thirteen years after the bridge was considered to be in such a dangerous state that its reconstruction was immediately necessary - the weight of any vehicle using the bridge was restricted to 2 1/2 tons, and all vehicular traffic had to proceed at a walking pace. Finally, in June, 1910, the bridge was actually closed to vehicular traffic.'[4]
1923 After unsuccessful attempts to gain parliamentary power to rebuild, a third proposal was made that Parliament should be asked to sanction the construction of a steel arch bridge, 60ft. wide, estimated to cost, exclusive of extensive and expensive approach works, £600,000.[5]
1929 Demolition began
1932 The new bridge was formally opened
This 1928 photograph shows a distinct sag in the nearest ('shore') deck. The Engineer in 1892 ascribed this to movement of the land abutment.[6]
Photo of the bridge being demolished in 1929 here. Another demolition photo here shows the bundles of suspension cables. The wires have a relatively high degree of twist.