On the 19th of March 1932 the Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened…
A video montage showing the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The photos are from NRS 12685 – which is available on Photo Investigator.
Music: Coming Home (from the album Hope by Kendra Springer)
This video was originally posted on our blog, Archives Outside.
Two halves of the Bridge joined in 1930
The two halves of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were joined at 10pm on 19 August 1930. The two half arches were fabricated from steel in workshops before being loaded onto barges and towed into position. The arches were then lifted up by two 580 tonne electrically operated creeper cranes. The arch spans 503m and the summit is 134m above sea level. Steel decking was then hung from the arches over the next nine months.
List of photos used in the film
- The Minister for Works turning the First Sod
- The Jackhammers drilling the second pair of holes
- Southern Abutment Tower from Dawes Point Vehicular Ferry Docks
- Eastern Main Bearing, Dawes Point
- View from McMahon’s Point, March 1930
- Joint 13 Assembled in Heavy Shop
- Placing Member N.E.7-5 Outside
- Lifting Diagonal (Raking Strut) into Position
- View from McMahons Point, June 1930
- Putlogs and Staging for cleaning Pylon
- Dismantling Creeper Crane
- View from McMahons Point, August 1930
- Aerial View of Arch and Approaches
- Panel Point 7 Eastern Truss
- Lower Chord Centre Joint – East Truss
- View from McMahon’s Point , December 1930
- Setting Masonry – South East Pylon Tower
- Track Timbers on North Approach Spans
- Laying Sheet Asphalt on Roadway
- North Approach under traffic
- Water Pageant
- Cleaning Pylon Masonry
- School Children on Bridge