Anthony Devis, 1755
Ink and watercolour, 28 x 42 cm
PE 4897
Anthony Devis, 1755
Ink and watercolour, 28 x 42 cm
PE 4897
Pontypridd's world famous bridge, completed in 1755, was William Edwards's third and successful attempt at this project. His first bridge was destroyed by flood and the second collapsed when its light crown was 'sprung' by the pressure of its abutments. The third bridge, still standing, with its segmental arch, a chord of 140 feet and a height of 35 feet was for many years the world's largest single-span stone bridge. Excluded from Devis's drawing are the circular tunnels, three through each abutment, designed to eliminate excessive pressure on the crown. Devis, a landscape painter from Preston is remembered for his topographical watercolours. He travelled extensively throughout Britain, producing many works in Scotland, the Lake District, Yorkshire and Glamorgan.
A REMARKABLE BRIDGE AT PENTYTYPRIDD IN GLAMORGANSHIRE (TOP)
Unknown artist/engraver, ca. 1760
Print, 11 x 20 cm
PZ 3412
NEW BRIDGE, OR PONT-Y-PRYDD, GLAMORGANSHIRE (BOTTOM)
Engraved by Woolnorth from a drawing by J.P Neale
John Harris (publisher), 1813
Print, 11 x 16 cm
P 562
The circular tunnels through the abutments, designed to eliminate excessive pressure on the crown of Pontypridd's bridge appear in this elevation which also provides some important dimensions. There are many perspective drawings and prints of Pontypridd Bridge such as the above published by John Harris in 1813 for The Beauties of England and Wales. Such topographical views can prove extremely helpful in architectural studies but one must remember that their accuracy varies, particularly if they are not drawn to scale.
A DESIGN FOR A BRIDGE AND EMBANKMENT ACROSS THE RIVER AT CONWAY...
Charles and Richard Shone, 1808
Ink and watercolour, 32 x 154 cm
PB 7434
An aborted project to span the Conwy River near its mouth. The Shones were land surveyors and Richard was also a mason who would possibly have been involved with construction work.
The first bridge at this point was Thomas Telford's suspension bridge of 1828. It formed part of Telford's improvements to the stage coach-route from London to Dublin involved upgrading and constructing new surfaces and bridges along the Holyhead Turnpike Road, between 1815 - 29. His suspension bridge at Conwy with its crenellated towers replicated the architecture of adjacent Conwy Castle, whilst his greatest bridge, that across the Menai Strait of 1819 - 26, linked Anglesey with the mainland for the first time. This was the World's first major iron suspension bridge.
RAILWAY GATE LODGE
Unknown architect, ca. 1857
Ink and watercolour, 30 x 45 cm
Public Utility Plans Core Collection ( PFCD 70)
Small, compact and strictly functional, this gate lodge illustrates that nineteenth century railway architecture was generally very cost-restricted. Railway company management and shareholders were reluctant to expend money on superfluous architecture and designs were constrained to rigid budgets. The industry's notoriously heavy costs were of course exacerbated by much of the Welsh topography which necessitated the construction and maintainance of bridges, tunnels, embankments and cuttings. Regrettably tight financial constraints on several Welsh lines regularly led to poor standards of maintenance.
TOLL HOUSE, LLANGOLLEN
S. Pountney Smith, 1862
Ink and watercolour, 48 x 64 cm
Public Utility Plans Core Collection ( PFCD 66)
Intentionally designed to complement the medieval style of Llangollen Bridge, this castellated toll house with lancet and arrow loop windows portrays a grandeur disproportionate to its function.
LLANGOLLEN BRIDGE
Unknown Architect, ca. 1862
Ink and watercolour, 30 x 84 cm
Public Utility Plans Core Collection (PFCD 66)
Llangollen Bridge probably dates from the sixteenth century. Records indicate a crossing here in 1284 which may have been built shortly after the foundation of Valle Crucis Abbey. The present structure may be attributed to John Trefor II (Bishop of St. Asaph, 1395 - 1411). Widened and enhanced in 1346, it was considered one of the 'Seven Wonders of Wales'.
Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple, Snowdon's mountain without its people, Overton yew-trees, St. Winefride's Wells, Llangollen Bridge and Gresford Bells. The bridge spans the River Dee with four irregular pointed voussoired arches, between which, on both sides, are deep pointed cutwaters. In 1863 provision was made for the construction of the town's new railway station which entailed extending the north end with a square headed railway opening, elevating the road and rebuilding the parapets. Widening work was undertaken in 1873 and in 1968. Llangollen Bridge is now a scheduled ancient monument. The adjoining castellated tower was demolished in 1940.