Richmond Bridge (Tasmania)

The Richmond Bridge is a historic bridge in Richmond, 25 km (16 mi) north of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.

Location

History

The foundation stone for the Richmond Bridge was laid on 11 December 1823 and the bridge was built by convicts. It was completed in 1825. The bridge was originally named Bigge's Bridge after Royal Commissioner, John Thomas Bigge, who recognised the need for the bridge in 1820.

The plaque on Richmond Bridge

The stone set in the bridge showing construction started in 1823.

Another historic marker set into the bridge

In 2005, the bridge was recognised as an outstanding historic place and added to the Australian National Heritage List.

Murder of George Grover

In 1832 a guard from the Richmond Gaol was murdered at Richmond bridge. George Grover work including flogging (whipping) the prisoners. He was hated by the convicts. He died after being pushed off the edge of Richmond Bridge while drunk. No one was convicted of his murder.

Construction

The Richmond Bridge is made from sandstone dug at Butchers Hill, and carried by convicts using hand carts. It has four main arches, with spans of 4.3 m (14 ft), 8.1 m (27 ft), 8.3 m (27 ft), 8.5 m (28 ft), 8.3 m (27 ft) and 4.1 m (13 ft). These arches rise from sloping fins with angular leading edges pointed to the flow of the river.

Richmond Bridge (Tasmania) Media

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  A view through an arch of the bridge

Other websites

• Discover Tasmania Website Archived 2006-06-19 at the Wayback Machine, Accessed May 2006.
• Tasmanian Communities Online Archived 2006-04-25 at the Wayback Machine, Accessed May 2006.
• Australian National Heritage listing for Richmond Bridge, last accessed 9 July 2008.
• Historic Richmond Bridge a National Heritage jewel Archived 2006-09-10 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, press release, 2005