Clifton Suspension Bridge Archives

Clifton Illustrated stereoview of Clifton Suspension Bridge from river bank

GB 3493 AA/1/S/52
Item
c.1865 - 1867

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

No. 1286.

Bedford, Francis (1815 -1894), photographer

Clifton Illustrated stereoview of Clifton Suspension Bridge from St Vincent's Rocks

GB 3493 AA/1/S/74
Item
20 September 1965

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

No. 1289. The photograph image would have been taken within Bedford's lifetime, however, it is likely that it was reproduced or sold in the 1960s because the reverse of the card carries the stamp: "P.H. Thomas, M.P.S. Chemist 20 Sep 1965 6, High Street Purton Tel. 294."

Bedford, Francis (1815 -1894), photographer

Clifton Illustrated stereoview of the entrance to the Cumberland Basin taken from Rownham Hill

GB 3493 AA/1/S/80
Item
c.1864 - 1868

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

No. 1290.
This view shows the locks to the Cumberland Basin. A swivel bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, can be seen open by the South Entrance Lock (seen on the right in the photograph). The swivel bridge was in operation by 1849 and was turned by a hydraulic mechanism.
On the North Entrance Lock (seen on the left of the photograph) is another swivel bridge designed by the dock’s engineer, Thomas Howard and based on Brunel’s design. This swivel bridge was operational by 1864, but was removed sometime between 1868 and 1870 when Howard’s new North Lock was being built. It was re-erected at Bathurst Basin. In 1872-1873 Brunel’s swivel bridge was shortened and moved to the North Entrance Lock.

Bedford, Francis (1815 -1894), photographer