Tel: 07962 179 708 - Email: paul@imagesnortheast.co.uk
The Transporter Bridge
.... between the old town of Middlesbrough and Port Clarence.
By Paul Menzies
Teesside’s most iconic landmark celebrates its centenary on 17 October 2011. To commemorate the occasion Images North East presents a number of historic prints which feature the bridge. Included are a collage print highlighting the opening, a quad tone sepia print of the bridge in 1921 and a print in full colour image also from the 1920’s.
The Transporter Bridge between the old town of Middlesbrough and Port Clarence has become a well known landmark for many inhabitants of Teesside and for many who live further afield. The need for a bridge crossing the lower reaches of the Tees had been acknowledged some years before the idea of a bridge of this nature was finally decided upon. Finally the Bill for building the bridge received Royal Assent on 4 July 1907 and on 3 August 1910 two foundation stones were laid by the Mayor Lieut.-Colonel T. Gibson-Poole and Alderman Joseph MacLauchlan who had first instigated the scheme. The bridge cost just over £87,000 to build. The official opening of the bridge by HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught, K.G., on 17 October 1911, was commemorated by the printing of an official programme; the front cover of which was royal blue with gold lettering.
The Prince was the guest of the Mayor, Sir Hugh Bell and stayed at his country home, Rounton Grange. On the day he was driven to Middlesbrough passing through the same Grove Hill toll bar as his father had done in 1868. From there he was escorted to the Transporter Bridge by a troop from the Yorkshire Hussars. With huge crowds watching, the bridge was declared open when the Prince pressed a button to set the car in motion.
The Prince was then given an inaugural trip before boarding a steam boat to inspect the river. He was then taken to the offices of the Tees Conservancy Commissioners in Queens Square for luncheon. The bridge was an immediate success with 6,290 people using it on the first day, many paying an extra three pence to walk across the top. In the first year the bridge carried over 2,657,206 people and of course still carries many passengers today.
"Own a print of Teesside’s most iconic landmark .... £14.48p inc P&P"
I have a very large collection of Historical Prints, produced from the original postcards, that can be supplied in various sizes for personal pleasure or commercial use.
The Transporter Bridge... a century old
Tel: 07962 179 708. Fascinating digitally restored quality images of the North East in the past, featuring a wide number of towns and villages as they were a century ago. Details of a full image restoration service also available. Webshop and much more online now.
Click image to enlarge
and for more information.
The Transporter Bridge
.... between the old town of Middlesbrough and Port Clarence.
Click image to enlarge
and for more information.
Click image to enlarge
and for more information.
Paul Menzies. Author, historian and photographer of the North East
Paul Menzies is
a Member of