1819
This bridge which is now called "Waterloo Bridge, but which was, till within some few months of its completion, styled "the Strand Bridge," is a noble ornament of the metropolis. The view of the Surrey hills, and the fine expanse of glorious country that it opens from the Strand is at once delightful and surprising; and the effect is no little increased by the continuity of houses that every where affects the passenger's eye, in passing along the Strand, till be comes to the grand entrance leading to Waterloo Bridge.—For upwards of a century, a bridge at this particular part of the river had been frequently suggested; but all the merit of the scheme, and the influence of the Bedford family, whose property. would be so much improved by the adoption of the plan, did not enable it to resist opposition from the city of London, &c., in former periods. It remained for an enterprising and young civil engineer, named George Dodd, after three years' unprecedented turmoil, to get an act of parliament for a bridge at this station. And this was not done till subscriptions to the amount of 500,000l. had been raised. This was in 1806. That engineer succeeded in removing the impracticabilities which had before prevented the scheme of building a bridge across this portion of the river, from being carried into effect; and he gave the present site, plan, and dimensions of the bridge.
Some time after the act had been obtained, and the commencement of the building, Mr. Dodd disagreed with the company and separated from them. Mr. Rennie, also a celebrated engineer, followed; and he had the honour of finishing this noble bridge. It gained the same of Waterloo Bridge, that of the, "Strand" having been rejected, by an additional act of parliament of 1816; but an "iron bridge of tenacity" over the Thames at Rotherhithe, to be called the "Waterloo-Bridge, had previously been suggested.
It is different from all the other bridges. All its arches, which are elliptical, are of an equal size; and the road across the bridge is thus made a level road. The style of its architecture is plain; the effect noble from its simple grandeur; and the materials are of the most durable kind, namely, of granite. It was built with amazing rapidity, and the ceremony of opening it took place, June 18, 1817, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. The ceremony was of a splendid character, the Prince Regent and the Duke of Wellington being present on the occasion.
The following are the dimensions of the bridge:—
Feet.
The length of the stone bridge within the abutments.................. 1242
Lenght of the road supported on brick arches on the Surrey side of the river.... 1250
Length of the road supported on brick arches on the London side ....... 400
Total length from the Strand, where the building begins, to the spot in Lambeth where it falls to the level of the road....................................... 2890
Width of the bridge within the balustrades................................... 42
Width of pavement or footway, on each side.................................. 7
Width of road for horses and carriages........................................ 28
Span of each arch................................................................... 120
Thickness of each pier............................................................... 20
Clear waterway under the nine arches, which are equal............... 1080
Number of brick arches on the Surrey side.................................... 40
Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819