The Temporary London Bridge on fire
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
The Temporary London Bridge on fire
The Temporary London Bridge on fire on the night of 11th April 1758. Intended improvements to the main medieval stone bridge didnt go down too well with the ferrymen who made their living transporting people across the river and there is every indication that it was a disgruntled river worker who set fire to the temporary structure. Date: 1758
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Media ID 14156776
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans
11th 1758 Ablaze Aflame Alight Burned Burning Burns Concerned Destroyed Flames Nightime Onlookers Temporary Walkway
EDITORS COMMENTS
In the heart of 18th century London, on the night of the 11th of April, 1758, The Temporary London Bridge was engulfed in flames. The temporary wooden structure, erected as an alternative crossing while improvements were made to the main medieval stone bridge, was a source of discontent among the city's ferrymen. These men made their livelihood transporting people across the Thames and saw the bridge as a threat to their business. The exact cause of the fire remains uncertain, but there is every indication that it was the work of a disgruntled river worker. The temporary bridge, which served as a vital walkway for both pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic, was now reduced to ashes, leaving onlookers in a state of concern. The flames, which lit up the night sky, illuminated the faces of the crowd gathered on the banks of the Thames. The temporary bridge, which had been in place for several months, was intended to provide a safer and more efficient crossing while the main bridge was undergoing repairs. But now, as the structure burned, the future of the city's transportation infrastructure hung in the balance. The historical significance of this event is not lost on us today. The Temporary London Bridge on Fire is a poignant reminder of the challenges and complexities of urban development in the 18th century. It is a testament to the resilience of the people of London, who continued to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity. This photograph, taken from an original print from Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a unique glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when the future of the city hung in the balance, and the flames of destruction were a harbinger of change.
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