Broughton Suspension Bridge | |
|---|---|
 The rebuilt Broughton suspension bridge in 1883 | |
| Coordinates | 53°29′46″N 2°16′12″W / 53.4961°N 2.27°W |
| Crossed | River Irwell |
| Locale | Broughton |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Samuel Brown |
| Opened | 1826 |
| Collapsed | 12 April 1831 |
| Replaced by | Pratt truss footbridge |
| Location | |
 | |
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]
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.
- ^ "Broughton Suspension Bridge". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
- ^ Skempton, A. W.; Chrimes (2002). A biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland. M (Illustrated ed.). Thomas Telford. ISBN 978-0-7277-2939-2.
- ^ Bishop, R.E.D. (1979). Vibration (Second ed.). Cambridge University Press, London.