Brunel's Other BridgeBrunel Swivel Bridge Project Photos April 2025
Our workday on Saturday was well-attended, productive, interesting and enjoyable Daisy and Will took on the interesting task of designing a new pointer to replace the one stolen off the historic tide gauge. Not easy as we don't know the date of construction, so we look forward to seeing your final designs!. John cleaned graffiti off BOB and painted, whilst Reece dealt with the spring weeds. Geoff, Charlie, David, Chris, Bob, Peter and Howard lifted numerous steel plates over the machine-pits at the west end of the 'Knuckle' entrance to Bristol City Docks. These pits still contain the 1902 hydraulic 'jiggers' that opened and closed the outer lock gates. Water pressurised to 750 psi. (45 Bar) operated giant pistons which pushed pulleys, drawing in heavy chains attached to the lock-gates. We found two giant pulleys and not one but two jiggers all with chains still attached, see photos. We don't yet know what the smaller jigger was used for, so come and join us on our next workday on 17th May and help us find out.
Charlie's 1000 photogrammetry photos will provide an accurate 3D record resize |
Daisy and Will admire the tide gauge resize |
Lunchtime is a pleasure now that we have a table. It was retrieved from the river! |
Two jiggers in one pit. The big one operated a sluicegate, but what was the small one for? |