Old Walton Bridge (1750-1783), Walton-on-Thames, England – A famous feat of engineering in its day, it was designed to last 200 years. After just 30, it was rotting away.
The Old Bridge was an important milestone for Walton, as it was also its first bridge. Prior to 1750, the only method of crossing the Thames between Walton and Shepperton was by ferry.
It was designed and built around the same time, and by the same designer, as the much smaller Mathematical Bridge at Cambridge University, which still exists. Every piece of timber in the bridge was completely straight, using mathematical principles to enable the structure to support itself.
The bridge was significant enough at the time to garner a reputation for its beauty, and to have a handful of paintings and sketches made of it. This one is by the Italian artist Canaletto, commissioned in 1754 by the writer Thomas Hollis.
the current bridge is the sixth iteration Walton bridge
jameslawrence1says
I live not far from here and the new bridge they put in looks a damn monstrosity.
v8poweragesays
downvote your mother idiots can’t make fuckin typo schizophreniacs…
Felshatnersays
That’s a very cool bridge, was the short life due to insufficient wood treatments during this era? I see that Mathematical Bridge still stands but has been rebuilt twice. I don’t see how exposed wood could last 200 years without tons of protection/sealant/whatever
Maya-K says
The Old Bridge was an important milestone for Walton, as it was also its first bridge. Prior to 1750, the only method of crossing the Thames between Walton and Shepperton was by ferry.
It was designed and built around the same time, and by the same designer, as the much smaller Mathematical Bridge at Cambridge University, which still exists. Every piece of timber in the bridge was completely straight, using mathematical principles to enable the structure to support itself.
The bridge was significant enough at the time to garner a reputation for its beauty, and to have a handful of paintings and sketches made of it. This one is by the Italian artist Canaletto, commissioned in 1754 by the writer Thomas Hollis.
[deleted] says
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archineering says
Looks like a scaled up version of the Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge
KuroArk088 says
the current bridge is the sixth iteration Walton bridge
jameslawrence1 says
I live not far from here and the new bridge they put in looks a damn monstrosity.
v8powerage says
downvote your mother idiots can’t make fuckin typo schizophreniacs…
Felshatner says
That’s a very cool bridge, was the short life due to insufficient wood treatments during this era? I see that Mathematical Bridge still stands but has been rebuilt twice. I don’t see how exposed wood could last 200 years without tons of protection/sealant/whatever