3-016-763 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Temporary bridge over the Thames at Blackfriars, [London], 1864. 'Old Blackfriars Bridge, which has been for some time in a very crazy condition, must speedily be rebuilt; and, as the closing of such an important thoroughfare would be attended with most serious inconvenience..., the Corporation of the city of London very properly determined upon having a temporary structure erected for the purpose...Its position is between the new bridge in process of being made for the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, situated but a few yards east of it, and the old Blackfriars Bridge...What with the great wooden props required to sustain the old tumble-down bridge, and the numerous piles, pieces of scaffolding, steam-engines, iron columns, stone piers, and other erections and appliances required for the works in question, the river steamers and the heavily laden barges which navigate thus high have a difficult time of it...To an inexperienced eye the posts, and cross-beams, and piles on every hand must appear an almost impenetrable maze...The temporary bridge... consists principally of a timber viaduct... It is calculated that the temporary bridge at Blackfriars may not be exchanged for the new permanent one for, perhaps, three years to come'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.