'Swinging' the bridge built in 1863

Its appearance may not have been too archaic but the method of opening and closing did surprise a lot of people.

I seem to remember an express '“ 'real old Fred Karno outfit' '“ or words to that effect. Never did find out who Fred Karno was, but the message was quite clear.

If my memory hasn't failed me, the bridge was built in 1863. Motor cars and lorries didn't exist so the only serious intrusion came from one of the railway's little locos wishing to make passage over the river to convey whatever gear and materials might be required for some constructional or repair job.

Other than that, just the odd horse and cart, a gipsy caravan, flock of sheep, herd of cattle, but certainly no half miles of impatient motor cars all trying to do the impossible.

So how did the bridge operate?

I'm certainly no engineer, but it would seem there was a very definite centre of solid below the middle of the bridge, which pivoted on this solid.

Some distance out from this centre was a near ring of cog teeth. Built against it was a framework which contained a small-toothed cog wheel, which engaged the fixed tooth ring.

When the big moment came that the bridge was to swing, a 'crew' appeared from nowhere. Two steel gates at either end were closed and then from 'cupboards' in the bridge's framework were abstracted a steel pole (or capstan) and four wooden poles.

The steel one (heavy) was lowered vertically through the floor of the bridge (as in the photo). It's bottom end was squared and this fitted into the square hole in the centre of the small cog wheel hidden below.

The top of the metal pole was also squared and on to this was lowered a metal device with a central square hole. In turn, this device was constructed to take the ends of the four wooden poles into the sides of it.

So there it was, set up rather like a capstan for raising an anchor, but in this case all the effort was going to turn the little cog wheel around the fixed tooth ring.

Each of the four corners of the bridge base were wound up into the brickwork at the four corners (on land) and then the procession commenced.

Eight men, two to a pole, pushed hard and the little cog travelled round the toothed ring, taking the bridge with it.

It is not an action which can benefit from speed, for the distance is too short. The actual turning time would be much as today '“ the old took longer because the gear had to be got out and erected and the four corners released and then wound up again.

Here it would seem the bridge is being returned after an opening as it has to still go further to the right and line up with the Crown Inn, the light coloured building to the right of the far end of the bridge.

Apart from the four wooden poles, all of the gear can be viewed at the museum, plus the two finials at the top of the two side supports and the complete bridge lamp (with red glass) at the left beyond centre

An excellent model by the late Allan Parsons, complete with Harry Avis walking ahead of the loco Fenchurch with his red flag and bell, is there too.

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Summer opening hours are daily, 2-4pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk