Today we ticked another box off our “must do in Australia” list and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Despite the Great Depression the bridge was completed and opened in March 1932 under the directions of Dr J.J.C. Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works, designed and built by British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough. We were told they used Australian, Irish and Italian stonemasons for the complex brick work, which took a minimum of a week to chisel each of the thousands of stone blocks into shape and there was much competition between the national pride of the builders to get it down below a week.
The bridge’s design was influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York but it Sydney some people refer to it rather more affectionately as The Coathanger. It used to be the world’s widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 meters (160 feet) wide, until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver
The weather today was perfect : sunny -but not too hot, breezy -but not blowing a gale ….and not raining!
We chose the 3.5 hour climb as it was better value for money – ie exactly the same price as the 2.5 hour climb……??
Actually this is simple to understand as the costs are largely in the safety equipment and laundry costs for all the gear they gave us to wear – Onezees, hats, handkerchiefs, belts, harnesses in the summer, plus rainwear, gloves and overshoes in bad weather. Wearing of safety equipment and these delightful dungarees is compulsory – even for the 50 odd people who have chosen to hold their wedding on the bridge!
Then we have an introductory ladder climbing training session – and I mustn’t forget the breathalyzer …!
We were joined on our climb by Veteran climber Lloyd – undertaking his 55th bridge climb aged 85 years – passionate about the bridge since seeing it’s opening when he was only 5 years old. I hope I can still climb the bridge when aged 85!
Our guide was excellent , full of anecdotes about the history of the bridge and the Opera House.
An interesting story about the bridge opening in 1932 was in relation to a group of monarchists who felt that a member of the Royal family should open the bridge in preference to a Labour Premier of New South Wales, and having failed to develop any workable plots to kidnap or asassinate Premier Jack Lang, who was looking forward to performing the ceremony, they planted a soldier Francis de Groot., who charged forward and slashed the ribbon with his sword in the name of King and Country and “all the right thinking people of Australia!”
De Groot was arrested and imprisoned for some days whilst they debated whether or not he was insane – finally judged sane and freed with a $5 fine.
The Bridge opening ceremony was set up again and this time the Premier did manage to cut the ribbon!
