London, England.
Sometimes mistaken for the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, built between 1886 and 1894. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London. It is so close to the Tower of London that if I were to turn left in this spot, I’d be facing the south wall of the tower enclave near the Middle Drawbridge entrance.
The bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones and Sir John Wolfe Barry and was officially opened on June 30, 1894, by The Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII). The bridge operates like a drawbridge with two sections of the bridge deck that are hinged on opposite sides. With the help of counterweights inside the towers adjacent to the hinged section of the bridge roadway, the roadway sections between the two towers are lifted to allow tall ships to pass through, while otherwise providing a crossing for road traffic. The bascules were originally powered by steam but were later converted to electricity.
The name “bascule” is derived from the French term for a balance scale which employs the same hinged design principle. The counterweights continuously balance the span throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- or, as in the Tower Bridge, double-leafed.
Just upstream from the Tower Bridge, immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of the Tower of London, the Tower Millenium Pier invites tourists to enjoy water excursions along the Thames. The more famous London Bridge crosses the Thames a little further upstream from the pier. The London Bridge was replaced because it was sinking into the river as it could not withstand the amount of road traffic necessary in the mid-20th century.
That bridge built in the early 19th century was purchased by an Arizona developer and moved to Lake Havasu City in Arizona to become a tourist attraction in the Arizona desert. The current London Bridge was built between 1967 and 1972 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 17, 1973, just over 50 years ago. Both the previous and current bridges known as the London Bridge are fixed bridges, the former a 19th-century stone arch design and the latter a box girder bridge built from concrete and steel. You can glimpse a view of the current London Bridge on the right edge in the photo above.
John Steiner
Flare Legend Adventures
Love this information.
Never knew the background.
Thank you, John.
Often, I learn about my subjects in writing the blog, too often to take advantage of the information while I was there. 🙂
It’s a nice concept John.
Thank you.
Wow. Interesting history…..thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed reading about the beautiful old bridge.
I’ve managed to visit the London Bridge, both when I was in London (before it was moved) and then more recently in Lake Havasu City. Am I right in thinking that the man who purchased it thought he was getting the Tower bridge?
I didn’t come across that specific information in my research, but it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that was the case.
I seem to remember something from back then.
I find it interesting that you talk about ‘the’ Tower Bridge and ‘the’ London Bridge. It’s never struck me before but we would never use the definite article when talking about them, just Tower Bridge, London Bridge (and the same for all the others like Westminster Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge). Yet when I come to the US I will say without even thinking about it ‘the’ Brooklyn Bridge and ‘the’ Golden Gate Bridge. How interesting!
That is an interesting point! I tend to add the definitive ‘the’ in front of bridges when I speak their names, but not always.
That’s funny Sarah because I was told by a native of Sacramento that people from Southern California say the I-5, the I-80, etc. when talking about highways. People from Northern California say I-5, I-80, etc.
I have family in San Diego who refer to “the 5” and “the 10” when referencing the Interstates. Interesting variations. 🙂
Great photo John! We have a Tower Bridge in Sacramento and it’s iconic to this area. I’m not at home and don’t have access to my photos or I’d show it to you. Another time.
I’ll have to look it up. I am always interested in bridges.
A very touristy part of London. I worked for a while right next to Tower Bridge, and of course, seeing them every day, I never went up the towers.
It is indeed “touristy” there. We stayed at a Citizen M hotel that is adjacent to the Underground station there.