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The Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall. Early 1900s
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
The Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall. Early 1900s
A view from the St Budeaux side of the Tamar river of the Royal Albert Bridge and Saltash. Queen Victorias consort Prince Albert opened the single broad gauge track bridge over the River Tamar, thus linking Cornwall with the Great Western system, on the 2nd May 1859. Two 450ft arched tubular spans met in mid river on four cast iron columns secured to a central underwater pier. Spans were high enough to give the Royal Navys tall ships clear heading. Visible in the foreground is the top of London South Western Railway cutting of their line from Devonport (Kings Road) to London, Waterloo via Oakhampton and Exeter. The Saltash Ferry or floating bridge can be seen leaving or arriving at the Saltash slip under the Royal Albert Bridge. The ferry service closed on 23rd October 1961 after over 700 years of service
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : RYrab.9
Media ID 12387163
© From the collection of the RIC
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the early 1900s, offering a glimpse of the majestic Royal Albert Bridge in Saltash, Cornwall. The view from the St Budeaux side of the Tamar river showcases this iconic structure that forever changed transportation in the region. It was on May 2nd, 1859, that Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, inaugurated this single broad gauge track bridge. Its completion marked a significant milestone as it linked Cornwall with the Great Western system. The photograph beautifully captures two impressive 450ft arched tubular spans meeting mid-river on four cast iron columns anchored to an underwater pier. These towering spans were designed to accommodate even the tallest ships of the Royal Navy passing underneath with ease. Intriguingly visible in the foreground is part of London South Western Railway cutting their line from Devonport (Kings Road) to London via Oakhampton and Exeter. This detail adds depth and context to this historical snapshot. Additionally, we catch sight of the Saltash Ferry or floating bridge departing or arriving at its slip under the grandeur of the Royal Albert Bridge. Remarkably, after over seven centuries of service connecting communities across these waters, this ferry service ceased operations on October 23rd, 1961. This remarkable print serves as a testament to engineering brilliance and stands as a reminder of how infrastructure can shape history for generations to come.
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