Even those who have never been to England, Tower Bridge recognize immediately.He - a kind of symbol of Britain.Each year, close to the bridge and photographed by thousands of tourists watch as swim underneath court.At night, he draws the attention of hundreds of burning fires, which are reflected in the water.
Where is Tower Bridge
country this magnificent constructions - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.He decorates the very capital of the kingdom - London.This drawbridge is located right in the center of the river Thames.
Generally, bridges - is the sights of London: Tower Bridge, Waterloo, London, Millennium, Cannon Street Railway Bridge and Westminster (next to Big Ben).Still, the most important being the symbol of the city - a tower.He - the same card of London as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York, Ny.The image of the bridge is so closely linked with the capital of Britain, it seems even commonplace.Nevertheless, its grandeur and severity of forms again and again stagger the imagination of tourists.
Where did the name
history of Tower Bridge, intertwined with it is located next to the Tower of London - the place where the prisoners.Earlier, before 1872, in the city center is just one of London Bridge, over the Thames exchanged a.London authorities decided that it is not enough for urban use.So called, Parliament decided to build a new facility.Incidentally, the commandant was against the construction of the Tower, but the Parliament insisted.It was agreed that the next bridge on the architecture must blend in effectively with the prison.That's where the strictness of the Tower Bridge.
its name he also received from the Tower of London.The northern end of the bridge was located just near the corner of the prison.The road, which is a continuation of the bridge runs parallel to the wall of the Tower.So, the first to go through this bridge was not London aristocrats and imprisonment.
Creator bridge
winter of 1876 the authorities in London announced a competition to design a bridge for the city.By the project exhibited the following requirements:
- bridge had to be high enough to have been able to pass underneath the ships;
- construction had to be strong and wide, to ensure constant movement of carts and people.
It was suggested that the fifty most interesting projects.Most of them offer high bridges span.But all the projects were two shortcomings: between the surface of the water and the bridge at high tide was too small distance to the ships could take place, but the rise of it - too steep for the horses that pulled the wagon.Architects offers options with lifting hydraulic lifts for people and carts with sliding decks and circular portions.
But the most realistic of the options was recognized as the chief architect of the project in London - Sir Horace Jones.He proposed drawing up-and-Bascule Bridge.
unusual project
By the time built the Tower Bridge, drawbridges were no longer a miracle.They are widely used in St. Petersburg, in the Netherlands and other countries.But the feature of the Tower Bridge was his complex technical systems.Nowhere in the world has not been applied on a large scale because the hydraulics.In St. Petersburg, while the bridges were used for labor workers, who later replaced the work of water turbines.At the request of the municipality of the bridge it was designed in the Gothic style.Under it could easily pass even the huge sea vessels.
peculiarity of the Tower Bridge was opposed by which construction rose and moved apart.In the construction of this facility was planned combination of masonry with steel structures.
However, despite the obvious advantages of the idea, the authorities delayed the decision on its approval.Then Jones attracted the famous engineer John Wolfe Barry, and together they improved it.Thus, the new sketch, Tower Bridge was to have the upper walkways.And the project was approved.
start of construction and the first changes
order to bring the project into a reality, the government has allocated a huge sum at the time - 585 000 £.Developers suddenly become a very wealthy people.
The construction was initiated in 1886.And at first everything went according to plan.But in the spring of 1887, even before they began to lay the foundation of the bridge, he died suddenly head of the project - Jones.It was a strong blow to his companion engineer Barry and froze construction on time.
Then Barry still led the project and took to his assistant architect George. Stevenson.Last harbored a huge passion for the Gothic art of the Victorian era, which significantly affected the project.With the advent of Stephenson Tower Bridge has undergone a number of stylistic changes.Steel forms the bridge were paraded as it was in the spirit of the times.And there were also two famous towers connected by pedestrian crossings at a height of 42 meters above the river.
opening of the bridge and how it works
London Tower Bridge was started in 1886 and completed after 8 years.His discovery was a solemn event, which took place in June 1894.The ceremony was attended by the Prince of Wales himself and his wife, Alexandra.
work of the bridge was completely focused on steam engines that rotate the huge pumps.These facilities generate high pressure in the accumulator.Which, in turn, fueled engines, rotating crankshafts.Torque is transmitted from the shaft pinion gear are forced to move sector.And the sector is responsible for breeding the wings of the bridge.Raises the bridge were very massive, giving the impression that the gears is a huge burden.However, it is not so: the wings of the bridge fastened heavy counterweights, which are of great assistance motor.
to breed wings require large amounts of energy.And then everything was provided.The mechanism of facilities includes six huge batteries, which was under strong pressure from the water.She came to the engines responsible for the operation of movable parts of the bridge.Under the influence of water coming into the various mechanisms movement and a great axle with two feet in diameter started to rotate, lifting of the web.The whole process of the bridge took only one minute!
Bridge today
Tower Bridge today runs entirely on electricity.However, as before, when it begins to move, everything freezes and enthusiastically look at the billowing into the air wings of the bridge.Then, attention is drawn to the surrounding river.And whether it be a pleasure boat or tug, all watching with interest as it passes under the bridge.
most curious is to climb into one of the towers, where a museum dedicated to the Tower Bridge.There you can learn a lot about its history and see pictures of construction, layouts and plans.Well, then you can climb to the observation deck to see the unusual, exciting and stunning panorama of the city, which opens out.
So if you find yourself in London, be sure to visit the Tower Bridge.
Interesting facts
Old London Bridge, bought in 1968, Robert McCulloch - a businessman from the United States.The structure was dismantled and transported to the United States.According to legend, the businessman felt that the old London Bridge - this is the Tower Bridge, a symbol of the mysterious Albion.However, McCulloch himself publicly denied that this was indeed.
Tower Bridge - this is a work of art, which had been worked talented architects.And this is the greatest tourist attraction not only in London but across the UK as a whole.
