The Battersea Bridge with crowds along it watching the River Thames whale

Battersea Bridge looking downstream from Chelsea. (January 2006)

Battersea Bridge is a road bridge crossing of the River Thames in south-west London, linking Battersea south of the river with Chelsea to the north. Its 40 foot width makes it London's narrowest road vehicle bridge. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 184 KB) Summary Crowds line the Battersea Bridge watching the whale Shermozle 14:10, 21 January 2006 (UTC) Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Battersea Bridge User:Shermozle River Thames whale Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 184 KB) Summary Crowds line the Battersea Bridge watching the whale Shermozle 14:10, 21 January 2006 (UTC) Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Battersea Bridge User:Shermozle River Thames whale Metadata This file contains additional... Whale being rescued near Battersea Bridge Wikinews has news coverage related to this subject: Whale spotted in Thames river, Central London Experts fear for the health of London whale Rescue teams try to save London whale London whale dies The River Thames whale was a juvenile female Northern Bottlenose whale... Image File history File links Battersea_bridge_1. ... Image File history File links Battersea_bridge_1. ... A log bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... The Thames (pronounced //) is a river flowing through southern England and connecting London with the sea. ... The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London (see Wiktionary:London for the name in other languages) is the capital of the United Kingdom and England. ... Battersea is a place in the London Borough of Wandsworth. ... Statue of Thomas More on Cheyne Walk. ...

Until the late 18th century, a ferry service had operated across the river at this location, but an Act of Parliament in 1766 authorised construction of a toll bridge. A group of fifteen investors financed this first bridge, at a cost of £15,000. Designed by a Henry Holland, the bridge was composed of 19 narrow wooden spans, making it difficult for river traffic to pass through. The ceremonial opening was in November 1771, but regular traffic first moved across the bridge in 1772. In 1795, some of the wooden spans were replaced by iron girder sections, creating spans almost double the size of the wooden ones. The bridge was the subject of paintings by Whistler and J.M.W. Turner. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... In Westminster System parliaments, an Act of Parliament is a part of the law passed by the Parliament. ... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Paying toll on passing a bridge. ... 1771 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Self portrait James Abbott McNeill Whistler (July 14, 1834 – July 17, 1904) was an American-born, British based painter and etcher. ... J. M. W. Turner, English landscape painter The fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up, painted 1839. ...

Like other London toll bridges, Battersea Bridge was eventually bought by the Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW), closed in 1883 and subsequently demolished in 1885, to be replaced by the current bridge. This was designed by MBW chief engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, constructed by John Mowlem & Co. from 1886, and opened by on 31 July 1890 by Lord Rosebery. It is composed of five wrought iron and steel cantilever spans supported on granite piers. The Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW) was the principal instrument of London-wide government from 1855 until the establishment of the London County Council in 1889. ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The term civil engineer refers to an individual who practices civil engineering. ... Memorial to Sir Joseph Bazalgette on Victoria Embankment Sir Joseph William Bazalgette (28 March 1819 – 15 March 1891) was one of the great Victorian civil engineers. ... 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ... July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... The Right Honourable Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, KG, PC (May 7, 1847 – May 21, 1929) was a British Liberal statesman and Prime Minister. ... A wrought iron railing in Troy, New York. ... The old steel cable of a colliery winding tower Steel is a metal alloy whose major component is iron, with carbon being the primary alloying material. ... The cantilevered beam (green) hangs out into open space from its supporting structure (blue). ... Quarrying granite for the Mormon Temple, Utah Territory. ...

On 20 September 2005, the bridge was struck by a gravel-carrying barge, which became stuck underneath one of the arches. The collision caused significant damage, requiring the bridge to be closed for a period predicted to be weeks if not months while repairs could be carried out [1]. September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Crossings of the River Thames

This is a list of crossings of the River Thames, downstream first, including bridges, tunnels and ferries. ...

References

• Loobet, Patrick — Battersea Past, 2002, p21,48. Historical Publications Ltd. ISBN 0948667761.