Archaeology Notes

Event ID 669250

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/669250

NS56SE 83 58907 64723

Suspension Bridge [NAT]

OS 1:1250 map, 1967.

For predecessor bridge (in same location), see NS56SE 2160.

Location formerly entered as from NS 5888 6466 to NS 5893 6478.

Portland Street Suspension Footbridge, built 1851 by the Heritors of Gorbals, and reconstructed 1871. The Classical pylons were designed by A Kirkland, architect, and the metalwork by George Martin, engineer. The light lattice girder deck is suspended from flat link chains and the clear span is 414ft (126.2m). The bridge retains its gas lampholders, now electrified. SDD category A.

J R Hume 1974.

(Suspension bridge of Samual Brown flat link type). Built 1851, rebuilt 1871. Alexander Kirkland, architect (masonry), George Martin, engineer (ironwork). Classical masonry pylons, single flat-link chains (5 links wide) on each side, iron rod suspenders, light lattice-girder deck. Span 414 ft (126.2m). Public footbridge.

J R Hume 1977b.

South Portland Street Footbridge, 1851-3. A wrought iron suspension bridge, the ironwork designed by George Martin, engineer, and the supporting stone pylons by Alexander Kirkland, architect. It was erected at the expense of the heritors of Gorbals to replace a wooden (NS56SE 2160) bridge near the same spot which had been built for temporary use while the [old] Broomielaw Bridge (NS56SE 2159) was rebuilding in 1833-5, but was much used until it became unsafe in 1846. In 1870-1 Bell and Miller, engineers, altered the ironwork, lowering the main chains and deck at midspan, and adding lattice girders to the side-rails. There were further repairs to the deck and side-rails in 1926.

The fine profile should be seen against the sky, not, as it appears from most viewpoints, with a background of buildings. The pylons, of yellow-brown sandstone, are triumphal arches of Grecian construction, with square pilasters at the outer corners, pairs of fluted Ionic columns flanking the entries, and over the entablatures massive ashlar plinths through which the chains pass to rest on their saddle supports. There are two chains on each side of the bridge, each chain link being five flat wrought iron bars; wrought iron suspenders at about 1.5m (5ft) spacing; and a deck of wrought iron or steel cross beams and wooden floor.

E Williamson, A Riches and M Higgs 1990.

This footbridge crosses the River Clyde within the area of the Upper Harbour, between Custom House Quay (to the N) and Carlton Place (to the S). The river here forms the boundary between the parishes of Glasgow (to the N) and Govan (to the S).

The location assigned to this record defines the centre of the span. The available map evidence suggests that it extends from NS 58941 64795 to NS 58871 64647.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 19 December 2005.