372. Observations on taking dow?i and 



ties of His Majesty's subjects." By reference to the reports of 

 the Committees of the House of Commons, of the sessions 1820 

 and 1821, relating to this bridge, ordered to be printed May 

 and June, 1821, and upon abstracting from the evidence there- 

 in, relating to the loss of life and property in the last twenty 

 years, the promoters of the demolition of the bridge cannot 

 produce a statement of a greater number of persons drowned 

 than 17, nor damage to properly exceeding 40001. by accidents 

 at London Bridge, during that time. The evidence, with re- 

 spect to the danger of the navigation through the bridge, of the 

 lightermen examined, many of whom have navigated the river 

 for forty years, is directly at variance with the opinions of those 

 who are desirous of a new bridge, and attributes the accidents 

 which occur to mere ignorance and drunkenness. 



The sufiicient stability of this bridge was ascertained in 1759, 

 when the large arch was made, and unquestionably confirmed 

 by the late examination of the structure of the piers *. 



The sufficient width of the bridge as a roadway, is main- 

 tained by Mr. Rennie's evidence, (16th April, 1821,) who, upon 

 being asked, '• What would you propose to make the width of 

 the new bridge?" answered, " The same width as the old one;" 

 and added, London Bridge is wider than either Southwark, 

 Blackfriars, or Waterloo Bridges. The width of the bridge, in 

 the clear of the parapets, in the design which received the first 

 premium, is only 44 1 feet, a less width than between the para- 

 pets of the present bridge f; so that the mechanics and trades- 

 men who urge the necessity of a new bridge, in the hopes of 

 having a freer thoroughfare for themselves and their carts, will 

 be grievously disappointed. 



In the late application to architects and engineers, it seems 

 remarkable, that it had not occurred to the bridge committee, 



* Appendix, Report on London Bridge, 1821, p. 66, ^c. 



+ See Mv. Dance's section, Append. B. I. 2d Uepori, London Port. By 

 Append. B. III. 3d Report, London Port, London Bridge is 45 feet wide, 

 Blackfriars 41 feet, '"Vestniinster 39 feet 9 inchps. 



The late Mr. Mynle (App. B. IL) thouglit .'>0 feet a proper width for the 

 new London Bridge. The roadway of Waterloo Bridge is 28 feet, the foot- 

 paths each seven feet, together 42 feet ; the same as Westminster Bridge is 

 stated to be by Mr. Labelye. Vauxhall Bridge has a roadway of 28 feet, 

 and two f<iotp;>ths of 5 feet 6 inches eacli, together 3!) feet. 



