THE SOUTH DEVON 



MONTHLY MUSEUM. 



PLYMOUTH, APRIL 1. 1836. 



No. 40.] Price Sixpence. [Vol. VII. 



TEIGNMOUTH AND SHALDON BRIDGE. 



This bridge, which is the longest in the United 

 Kingdom, was erected at the expense of a joint- 

 stock company, incorporated by, and acting under 

 the authority of, an act of padiament, passed in the 

 session of 1824. The foundation stone was laid by 

 William Langmead, Esq., of Elfordleigh, near Ply- 

 mouth, the chairman of the committee, on the 20th. 

 September following ; but, in consequence of some 

 unexpected difficulties in raising the necessary funds, 

 the works w^re not proceeded with for nearly twelve 

 months. In September, 1825, the erection was 

 commenced with spirit, and the bridge was opened 

 ibr public passing on the 8th of June, 1827. Her 

 present majesty (then Duchess of Clarence) passed 

 over it on the 14th. July following, on her way to 

 Plymouth, on which occasion, triumphal arches 

 were erected at each end of the bridge, and the 

 bridge itself was literally crammed with spectators. 

 The bridge is erected on a plan altogether new, 

 designed by Roger Hopkins, Esq., of Plymouth, 

 civil engineer, and executed under his directions. 

 It consists of twenty-eight arches of thirty feet span, 

 one arch of sixty feet, four arches of forty feet, a 

 swing bridge of thirty feet, which opens into two 

 parts, so as to admit vessels, of even from three to 

 four hundred tons burthen to pass, and retaining 

 VOL. VII.— 1836. T 



