CHAP. V. OLD LONDON BRIDGE. 55 



were eventually carried out. The great middle pier was 

 also removed, and the two adjoining locks were thrown 

 into one by turning a new arch, which occupied the 

 whole space. 



_ 



OLD LONDON BRIDGE APTEB THE REMOVAL OF THE HOUSES. 

 [By E. M. Wimperis] 



It was now found, however, that the increased scour 

 of the water passing under the new archway placed the 

 adjoining piers in great peril, by washing away the 

 bed of the river under their foundations. The appre- 

 hensions of danger were such that but few persons would 

 pass either over or under the bridge, and the Corporation 

 becoming alarmed, at this juncture sent in all haste for 

 Mr. Smeaton. He was then living at his house at Aus- 

 thorpe, from whence he was summoned by express to 

 town. On his arrival, he proceeded to survey the bridge 

 and examine the foundations which were giving way. 

 His advice to the Corporation was, to buy back imme- 

 diately the stones of the City gates, which had recently 

 been taken down and the materials sold, and throw them 

 into the river outside the starlings, for the purpose of 

 protecting them against the scour of the river. Another 

 object of this measure, as explained in Smeaton' s reports, 

 was to restore the old dam by again raising a barrier 

 of stones across the water-way, and thus increase the 



