Broughton Suspension Bridge
Bridge in Manchester, England, completed in 1826 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Broughton Suspension Bridge was an iron chain suspension bridge built in 1826 to span the River Irwell between Broughton and Pendleton, now in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. One of Europe's first suspension bridges, it has been attributed to Samuel Brown, although some suggest it was built by Thomas Cheek Hewes, a Manchester millwright and textile machinery manufacturer.[1][2]
Broughton Suspension Bridge | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 53°29′46″N 2°16′12″W |
Crossed | River Irwell |
Locale | Broughton |
History | |
Constructed by | Samuel Brown |
Opened | 1826 |
Collapsed | 12 April 1831 |
Replaced by | Pratt truss footbridge |
Location | |
On 12 April 1831, the bridge collapsed, reportedly due to mechanical resonance induced by troops marching in step.[3] As a result of the incident, the British Army issued an order that troops should "break step" when crossing a bridge. Although rebuilt and strengthened, the bridge was subsequently propped with temporary piles whenever crowds were expected. In 1924, it was replaced by a Pratt truss footbridge, still in use.