Stunning Vintage Photographs Documenting the Construction of the Tyne Bridge

   

 

 
 

The Tyne Bridge is a through arch bridge over the River Tyne in North East England, linking Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. The bridge was designed by the engineering firm Mott, Hay and Anderson, who later designed the Forth Road Bridge, and was built by Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough.

 
 
Construction of the Tyne Bridge from March 1927 to October 1928
 
The bridge was officially opened on 10 October 1928 by King George V and has since become a defining symbol of Tyneside. It is ranked as the tenth tallest structure in the city, and is one of the North East’s most iconic landmarks.
 
These photographs from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums were taken by James Bacon & Sons of Newcastle and document its construction from March 1927 to October 1928. They belonged to James Geddie, who was Chief Assistant Engineer on the construction of the Bridge with Dorman, Long & Co. Ltd. of Middlesbrough.
 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge in the very early stages of construction, looking from Newcastle upon Tyne over towards Gateshead, March 22, 1927

 

 
Work on the Tyne Bridge arch underway. The first sections of steelwork rise over Hillgate Quay, Gateshead, August 10, 1927

 

 
 
View of support mast and cables holding the Tyne Bridge in place as it is constructed, November 29, 1927

 

 
View through the girders from the Gateshead side of the Tyne Bridge to the Newcastle side, January 27, 1928

 

View of progress with the Tyne Bridge, February 2, 1928, showing the two halves getting closer together


 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge from Gateshead, February 2, 1928, showing the two halves getting closer together

 

 
View of the Newcastle side of the Tyne Bridge captured during its construction, February 2, 1928

 

 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge captured from the Newcastle side during its construction, February 15, 1928

 

 
Bracing between the Tyne Bridge arches, February 17, 1928

 

 
The Tyne Bridge arch is nearly complete as a girder is lowered into place above the River Tyne, February 23, 1928

 

 
An historic moment as the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the Tyne Bridge meet, February 23, 1928

 

 
 
Steel erectors, riveters and crane drivers perch on a 20-ton capacity crane to mark the completion of the Tyne Bridge arch, February 23, 1928

 

 
Flags fly above the Tyne Bridge to celebrate the completion of its arch, February 27, 1928

 

 
 
Construction staff of the Tyne bridge, employed by Dorman Long & Co. Ltd, March 2, 1928

 

View along the Tyne Bridge looking towards Newcastle, as work on its construction continues, March 6, 1928

 

 
View of the Tyne Bridge from Gateshead, as work on its construction continues, March 6, 1928

 

 
View of the Tyne Bridge from the High Level Bridge, March 6, 1928

 

 
 
View along the Tyne Bridge as work on its roadway continues, May 18, 1928

 

View along the Tyne Bridge towards Newcastle, as work continues on its roadway, May 22, 1928

 

 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge towers under construction, September 6, 1928

 

 
View of the Tyne Bridge towers under construction, September 19, 1928

 

 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge roadway nearing completion, September 25, 1928

 

 
View along the Tyne Bridge as it nears completion,, September 25, 1928

 

 
 
View of the Tyne Bridge, October 1, 1928