‘N.B. Southwark Bridge will be open free of Toll during the above hours.’
“As the intervening space passed away, the preparations for the ceremonial proceeded on a scale of equal celerity and magnitude. A Steam Engine, with a high funnel, was erected against the City side of the Coffer-Dam, for exhausting it of water, an entrance to which was made through a covered stone recess of the old Bridge, on the Northern side of the Dam. The rude and intricate walling of piles and other erections now began to assume a more regular appearance; a platform and flight of steps connected them with the parapet of the old edifice; a broad raised passage surrounded the area in the centre, and the whole was covered with an awning, above which rose numerous lofty flag-staves. These, then, were the earlier preparations for this splendid water-festival; and now let us proceed to recount the wonders of the day itself. A finer and more freshly-breathing air was certainly never abroad, than that which cooled the atmosphere and blew out the gaily-coloured flags around old London Bridge, on the morning of Wednesday, the 15th of June. At a very early hour, the workmen began erecting the barriers, which were double, and at a considerable distance apart. Across the whole space of Fish-Street Hill, from Upper and Lower Thames Street, and again at Tooley Street, there stretched wide wooden railings, having a moveable bar at each pavement, with an opening wide enough for one person only; whilst the centre of the Street was divided with posts and bars, allowing carriages to pass between them also, but in single lines. Within these, at each end of the Bridge, was erected a strong screen of rough planks, about fourteen feet high, having four gates, answering to the former foot-paths and carriage-ways. So long as the barriers continued open, the old Bridge was crowded with gazers; who were especially collected opposite that part of the parapet which was to form the grand entrance to the Coffer-Dam; while on the roofs of the houses, and other buildings in the vicinity, were platforms of seats, and awnings preparing, which were afterwards crowded with spectators; as well as the Monument, St. Magnus’ Church, the towers of St. Mary Overies’, and St. Olave, Fishmongers’ Hall, and the Patent-Shot works. Many scaffolds were also erected for the purpose of letting, the prices varying from 2s. 6d. to 15s. each, according to their accommodations; and the following is a specimen of their announcements. ‘Seats to be let for viewing the Procession, No. 2, Bridge Foot, for Laying the First Stone of the New Bridge. Tickets 7s. and 5s. each:’ though more moderate exhibitions were set forth in the words, ‘A full view of the whole works, Admission 6d.’ Another bill of entertainment, also issued on that morning, stated, that ‘This Evening, Wednesday, June 15th, the Monument will be superbly illuminated with Portable Gas, in commemoration of Laying the First Stone of the New London Bridge, by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor. Admittance Sixpence each, at Nine o’clock.’ And in the evening a lamp was accordingly placed at each of the loop-holes of the column, to give the idea of its being wreathed with flame, whilst two other series were placed on the edges of the gallery; though the wind seldom permitted the whole of the gas to remain lighted at the same instant.
“Long before the time appointed for the closing of old London Bridge, the River and buildings around it were fully occupied with visitors; the vessels were decorated with flags; and crowded pleasure-boats, some carrying bands of music, floated round the Coffer-Dam. At eleven o’clock, the Bridge was begun to be cleared, and that of Southwark opened, for the first and only time, toll free. The various entries were guarded by constables, who ascertained that every person was provided with a ticket; and before noon, this famous passage across the Thames had so completely changed its character, that the very striking contrast to its usual appearance must have been seen to be appreciated. The building of the New London Bridge having been entrusted to the following Committee, the ceremonies of this day were also placed under the same direction; the Members being distinguished by painted wands, surmounted by the Arms of London and Southwark. These were,—
“The Lord Mayor, all the Aldermen, and Jonathan Crocker, Chairman of the Sub Bridge-House Committee; Robert Fisher, of the Ward of Aldersgate within; John Lorkin, of Aldersgate without; Samuel Favell, of Aldgate; Henry Hughes, of Bassishaw; William Austin, of Billingsgate; James Davies, and Sir William Rawlins, of Bishopsgate; William Mathie, of Bread Street; John Locke, of Bridge; Richard Webb Jupp, of Broad Street; Thomas Carr, of Candlewick; Robert Slade, of Castle Baynard; Charles Bleaden, of Cheap; Josiah Griffiths, of Coleman Street; Charles William Hick, of Cordwainers; Spencer Perry Adderley, of Cornhill; Hugh Herron, of Cripplegate within; Richard Lambert Jones, of Cripplegate without; James Ebenezer Saunders, of Dowgate; Josiah Daw, and Adam Oldham, of Farringdon within; William John Reeves, and James Webb Southgate, of Farringdon without; Joseph Carter, of Langbourn; Thomas Price, of Lime Street; Robert Carter, of Portsoken; William Routh, of Queenhithe; Peter Skipper, of Tower; Thomas Conway, of Vintry; and William Richardson, of Walbrook.
“The Tickets of admission to the Coffer-Dam were also issued by these gentlemen, and were, of course, in great request; but their number being limited, and the general arrangements peculiarly excellent, there was ample accommodation for even a more numerous company. The Tickets themselves—and how will they not be valued by the curious collectors of a future day?—were elegantly engraven, and printed on stout cards, measuring about five inches by eight: they consisted of an oblong elevation of the New Bridge, looking down the River, ‘Perkins, St. Mary Axe, Sculpsit,’ having beneath it the following words:
‘Admit the Bearer
TO WITNESS THE CEREMONY OF LAYING
THE FIRST STONE
OF THE
New London Bridge,
on Wednesday, the 15th day of June, 1825.
|
Seal of the City Arms. | (Signed) Henry Woodthorpe, Junr. Clerk of the Committee. |
N.B.—The Access is from the Present Bridge,
and the time of Admission will be
between the hours of Twelve and Two.
No. 837.’