tarboat's photos with the keyword: transporter bridge

Crosfield's transporter bridge across the Mersey viewed over the Celanese Emulsions site in Warrington. The bridge is in a poor state having not worked for over sixty years and it is hoped that the supporters' group is able to source funds for restoration. Worthy of note is the wartime firewatching shelter on the right end.

Detail of the west side of the Warrington Transporter Bridge. An interesting feature is the siting of a Second World War firewatcher's shelter on the end. This heavy steel plate structure was installed in order to provide some protection from shrapnel for the firewatchers who were there to protect the nearby factories from incendiary bombs. It will have contained a seat and small shelf with, almost certainly, a telephone. This example appears to be a locally made item rather than the 'Consol' firewatching shelter which was sold for the purpose to a range of businesses.

The Warrington Transporter Bridge has been out of use since 1964 and is deteriorating quite quickly even though it is listed Grade II* and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It was opened across the tidal River Mersey in 1916, at a cost of £34,000, to connect parts of the Joseph Crosfield and Son Ltd soap and chemical works. Initially it carried railway trucks up to 18 tons in weight but was converted for road vehicles in 1940 and upgraded to 30 ton weight limit in 1953. The double steel cantilevers on each tower support a central 200ft span of riveted mild steel plates and angles. The overall length of the structure is 339ft and it provides 76ft clearance at high water. It was designed by William Henry Hunter, and built by contractor Sir William Arrol. It is now owned by Warrington Borough Council, which may not augur too well for the long term security of the structure. Fortunately a 'Friends' group has been formed to try and secure the future of the bridge.

The gondola of the 1906 built Newport Transporter Bridge flies across the Usk. This is the tallest of the three transporter bridges surviving in the UK and also the longest span.

No.2 controller in the control cabin on top of the gondola of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge. There are two of these in this cabin although only one is needed to drive the bridge. A third example is in the motor house so that the bridge can be driven from there in case of breakdown. The bridge still uses DC power but it is likely to be converted to AC operation soon.

The Warrington Transporter Bridge has been out of use since 1964 and is deteriorating quite quickly even though it is listed Grade II* and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It was opened across the tidal River Mersey in 1916, at a cost of £34,000, to conect parts of the Joseph Crosfield and Son Ltd soap and chemical works. Initially it carried railway trucks up to 18 tons in weight but was converted for road vehicles in 1940 and upgraded to 30 ton weight limit in 1953. The double steel cantilevers on each tower support a central 200ft span of riveted mild steel plates and angles. The overall length of the structure is 339ft and it provides 76ft clearance at high water. It was designed by William Henry Hunter, and built by contractor Sir William Arrol. It is now owned by Warrington Borough Council, which may not augur too well for its future.

Crosfield's transporter bridge across the Mersey viewed across the Celanese Emulsions site in Warrington.