TOWER BRIDGE AT DUSK
Uploaded: August 17, 2009 09:17:47
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAIL VITIKACS!
(((~~ TRAVEL & PLACE ~~)))
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London.
The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways which are designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the land-ward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. Its present colour dates from 1977 when it was painted red, white and blue for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Originally it was painted a chocolate brown colour.
Exif: F Number: 3.5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/150 seconds, Flash: fired, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 141, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 13.20 mm, Model: E4300
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is actually the next bridge upstream. A popular urban legend is that in 1968, Robert McCulloch, the purchaser of the old London Bridge that was later shipped to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, believed that he was in fact buying Tower Bridge. This was denied by McCulloch himself and has been debunked by Ivan Luckin, the seller of the bridge.Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
In the second half of the 19th century, increased commercial development in the East End of London led to a requirement for a new river crossing downstream of London Bridge. A traditional fixed bridge could not be built because it would cut off access to the port facilities in the Pool of London, between London Bridge and the Tower of London.Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
Construction
Tower Bridge under construction, 1892
Construction started in 1886 and took eight years with five major contractors – Sir John Jackson (foundations), Baron Armstrong (hydraulics), William Webster, Sir H.H. Bartlett, and Sir William Arrol & Co. – and employed 432 construction workers. E W Crutwell was the resident engineer for the construction.
Two massive piers, containing over 70,000 tons of concrete, were sunk into the riverbed to support the construction. Over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the towers and walkways. This was then clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone, both to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the bridge a pleasing appearance.
Jones died in 1887 and George D. Stevenson took over the project. Stevenson replaced Jones' original brick facade with the more ornate Victorian Gothic style, which makes the bridge a distinctive landmark, and was intended to harmonise the bridge with the nearby Tower of London.[6] The total cost of construction was £1,184,000. #7856530
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
OpeningDominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
DesignThe bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet (61 m) between the towers is split into two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to an angle of 83 degrees to allow river traffic to pass. The bascules, weighing over 1,000 tons each, are counterbalanced to minimize the force required and allow raising in five minutes.
The two side-spans are suspension bridges, each 270 feet (82 m) long, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. The pedestrian walkways are 143 feet (44 m) above the river at high tide. #7856538
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
Hydraulic system
The original raising mechanism was powered by pressurised water stored in several hydraulic accumulators.Hydraulics[›][clarification needed]
The system was designed and installed by Sir W. G. Armstrong Mitchell & Company of Newcastle upon Tyne. Water, at a pressure of 750 psi, was pumped into the accumulators by two 360 hp stationary steam engines, each driving a force pump from its piston tail rod. The accumulators each comprise a 20-inch ram on which sits a very heavy weight to maintain the desired pressure.
In 1974, the original operating mechanism was largely replaced by a new electro-hydraulic drive system, designed by BHA Cromwell House. The only components of the original system still in use are the final pinions, which engage with the racks fitted to the bascules. These are driven by modern hydraulic motors and gearing, using oil rather than water as the hydraulic fluid.
Some of the original hydraulic machinery has been retained, although it is no longer in use. It is open to the public and forms the basis for the bridge's museum, which resides in the old engine rooms on the south side of the bridge. The museum includes the steam engines, two of the accumulators and one of the hydraulic engines that moved the bascules, along with other related artifacts. #7856543
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
The third steam engineDuring World War II, as a precaution against the existing engines being damaged by enemy action, a third engine was installed in 1942, a 150 hp horizontal cross-compound engine, built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. at their Elswick works in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was fitted with a flywheel having a 9-foot diameter and weighing 9 tons, and was governed to a speed of 30 rpm.
The engine became redundant when the rest of the system was modernised in 1974, and was donated to the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum by the Corporation of the City of London.
Navigation control
To control the passage of river traffic through the bridge, a number of different rules and signals were employed. Daytime control was provided by red semaphore signals, mounted on small control cabins on either end of both bridge piers. At night, coloured lights were used, in either direction, on both piers: two red lights to show that the bridge was closed, and two green to show that it was open. In foggy weather, a gong was sounded as well.
Vessels passing through the bridge had to display signals too: by day, a black ball at least 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter was to be mounted high up where it could be seen; by night, two red lights in the same position. Foggy weather required repeated blasts from the ship's steam whistle.
If a black ball was suspended from the middle of each walkway (or a red light at night) this indicated that the bridge could not be opened. These signals were repeated about 1,000 yards (910 m) downstream, at Cherry Garden Pier, where boats needing to pass through the bridge had to hoist their signals/lights and sound their horn, as appropriate, to alert the Bridge Master.
Some of the control mechanism for the signalling equipment has been preserved and may be seen working in the bridge's museum.
Reaction
Although the bridge is an undoubted landmark, professional commentators in the early 20th century were critical of its aesthetics. "It represents the vice of tawdriness and pretentiousness, and of falsification of the actual facts of the structure", wrote H. H. Statham, while Frank Brangwyn stated that "A more absurd structure than the Tower Bridge was never thrown across a strategic river.
Architectural historian Dan Cruickshank selected the bridge as one of his four choices for the 2002 BBC television documentary series Britain's Best Buildings. #7856556
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
Road traffic
Tower Bridge is still a busy and vital crossing of the Thames: it is crossed by over 40,000 people (motorists and pedestrians) every day.[14] The bridge is on the London Inner Ring Road, and is on the eastern boundary of the London congestion charge zone. (Drivers do not incur a charge by crossing the bridge.)
In order to maintain the integrity of the historic structure, the City of London Corporation have imposed a 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) speed restriction, and an 18-tonne weight limit on vehicles using the bridge. A sophisticated camera system measures the speed of traffic crossing the bridge, utilising a number plate recognition system to send fixed penalty charges to speeding drivers.
A second system monitors other vehicle parameters. Induction loops and piezoelectric detectors are used to measure the weight, the height of the chassis above ground level, and the number of axles for each vehicle.
River traffic
The bascules are raised around 1000 times a year. River traffic is now much reduced, but it still takes priority over road traffic. Today, 24 hours' notice is required before opening the bridge. In 2008, a local web developer created a Twitter feed to post live updates of the bridge's opening and closing activities.
A computer system was installed in 2000 to control the raising and lowering of the bascules remotely. Unfortunately it proved less reliable than desired, resulting in the bridge being stuck in the open or closed positions on several occasions during 2005, until its sensors were replaced. #7856593
Dominick M. Dimacale August 17, 2009
Tower Bridge Exhibition
The high-level walkways between the towers gained an unpleasant reputation as a haunt for prostitutes and pickpockets and were closed in 1910. In 1982 they were reopened as part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition, an exhibition now housed in the bridge's twin towers, the high-level walkways and the Victorian engine rooms. The walkways boast stunning views of the River Thames and many famous London sites, serving as viewing galleries for over 380,000 tourists[citation needed] who visit each year. The exhibition also uses films, photos and interactives to explain why and how Tower Bridge was built. Visitors can access the original steam engines that once powered the bridge bascules, housed in a building close to the south end of the bridge.
2008–2012 facelift.
In April 2008 it was announced that the bridge will undergo a 'facelift' costing £4m, and taking four years to complete. The work entails stripping off the existing paint and repainting in blue and white. Each section will be enshrouded in scaffolding to prevent the old paint from falling into the Thames and causing pollution. Starting in mid-2008, contractors will work on a quarter of the bridge at a time to minimise disruption, but some road closures are inevitable. The bridge will remain open until the end of 2010, but is then expected to be closed for several months. It is hoped that the completed work will stand for 25 years. #7856605
Amy M. Wilson August 17, 2009
Absolutely gorgeous, Dominick! #7856630Janet Daniel August 17, 2009
Outstanding color, detail, & lighting in this wonderful image, Dominick! #7856689Marilyn K. Lincecum August 17, 2009
As beautiful as I remember it when I was in London and saw the bridge. Love the story about it. Wonderful colors and effects. #7856690David Phalen August 17, 2009
Beautiful light, comp, tones and details!! #7856748Tarun Bose August 17, 2009
Excellent composition and lighting. You have really collected lots of datas and history about this bridge. Well done Dominick. #7856773Leslie McLain August 17, 2009
Beautiful image and lighting as well as a great history and structural lesson. #7856787Ron McEwan August 17, 2009
Superb image of this icon, the warm lighting is a big plus here, I like the tree in the foreground, it gives it perspective, well done indeed. #7856855Gail Vitikacs August 17, 2009
WOW...amazing in every way!!! Thank you SOOOOOO much for the dedication! I love this!!! #7856957Mike Clime August 17, 2009
Nice capture, details and great light! #7857012Nancy L. Green August 17, 2009
WOW!!! Fantastic image don, and a wonderful history lesson, great work and wonderful information!! <>< #7857018Marijana Fajgl August 17, 2009
Fantastic capture, Dominick! #7857091Daniella Puente August 17, 2009
GREAT and wonderful image Dominick... #7857092Candice C. Calhoun August 17, 2009
I LOVE not only your photos, but also traveling the world with you through the information you give with your lovely photos! This is GORGEOUS and a beautiful way to wish Gail the happiest of birthdays!ccc #7857452
Randy D. Dinkins August 17, 2009
Thanks for the shot and history. The color really "pops" here, well done. #7858570Ken Smith August 17, 2009
What a cool shot, Dominick! I'm sure Gail appreciated it!! #7858665Robin Bailey August 17, 2009
A beautiful capture with a wonderful pictorial to go with! #7859466Denny E. Barnes August 17, 2009
Outstanding image and history here, Dominick! Exceptionally well done!! #7860418Arnie Horwitz August 17, 2009
Great composition, lighting and colors, Dominick! #7860449Gina Cormier August 18, 2009
Wow...so much info on all your images! Very nice.Daniel Ruf August 18, 2009
Great shot, good cropping and framing. #7865250Murry Grigsby August 19, 2009
Beautiful light on this British icon Dom! Your take is so warm and inviting as opposed to so many shots published that are dark and brooding. Well done!! #7867195Peggy J. Maguire August 19, 2009
Love the infro and image Dominick!!!!!!!!! #7869263Carolyn McIntosh August 23, 2009
What a fabulous image and loved reading the history and facts supporting the pictures.Always feel honoured when you visit one of my posts. #7880940
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