rebmlding LoJidon Bridge. 273 



that the supposed evil might have another remedy than a new 

 bridge ; and out of the course of ordinary proceeding. It might 

 have suggested itself to some engineer, contemplating the direc- 

 tion of the mid stream of the Thames towards Pepper-alley 

 stairs, and the bank of gravel that directs it in that course ; or 

 to some antiquary, who recollected King Canute's mode of con- 

 veying his fleet from the east side to the west side of London 

 Bridge; or the direction of the cut which was made in 1173, 

 when this bridge was rebuilt, — that an auxiliary cut, and bridge, 

 round the foot of the present structure, north of Tooley- street, 

 might be a cheaper mode of obtaining the proposed object than 

 anew bridge; especially upon finding, upon inquiry, that be- 

 tween the linear waterway (690 feet) required, and the abso- 

 lute linear waterway of the present bridge, (545 feet,) there is 

 only a deficiency of 145 feet; and between the superficial water- 

 way of London Bridge, and that of the section of the whole 

 river, from Old Swan-stairs to Pocock's Flour wharf, at high 

 water, there is only a deficiency of about 4000 feet. 



Others, deprecating the removal of the dam, but desirous 

 of rendering the navigation, even when intrusted to unskilful 

 and drunken lightermen, safe, and accustomed to view the 

 locks on other rivers, and even upon this, may surmise, that 

 the object might be obtained by locks *. 



The cost of the repairs of this bridge annually, for the twenty 

 years previous to 1818, varied between 6027/. and 1455/. The 

 income of the estates applicable to the repairs of the bridge, for 

 1818, is stated to be 26,526/., of which about 11,000/. were 

 expended in management. The trustees, also, possessed stock 



* Had the instruclions to these candidates been unfettered, there might 

 have been a renewal of Messrs. Douglas and Telford's scheme for a cast- 

 iron bridge of 600 feet span, with a rise of 65 feet above high water, for 

 vessels to sail above London Bridge, and only at the cost of 262,289<. 

 The practicability and advisableness of this bridge was certified by twelve 

 out of fifteen mathematicians and engineers^ though, at that time, neither 

 the designers, nor the committee, nor any of^the mathematicians or engi- 

 neers, knew the strength of cast iron ; and those who supposed they knew 

 something of the matter, thought it forty times stronger than it since has 

 been found to be : so easy is it to ask and receive opinions. But where a 

 favourite object is to be carried, the data, upon which such opinions must 

 be founded, are kept out of sight or misstated or an inquiry into tliem is 

 refused. 



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