NRS-15436 | Report by the Sydney Harbour Bridge Advisory Board

Full description

This series comprises the report on the designs and tenders submitted in connection with the proposed bridge over Sydney Harbour to connect Sydney with North Sydney. The report traces the history of proposals to build a bridge and proceeds to evaluate designs submitted. The recommendation was to accept the modified design of Messers J. Stewart & Co. The appendices include the work of the current committee and its predecessors and are as follows:

Appendix A Conditions on which tenders were invited in 1900 (first competition) - prior to the existence of this Advisory Board
Appendix B North Shore Bridge Competition (short descriptions of designs submitted on 30 September, 1900 (first competition)
Appendix C Evidence Given in 1900. This section consists of transcripts of evidence taken on 1 -15 April, 1901. Evidence was taken from officials of shipping companies, captains of vessels, pilots, assistant Harbour Master and the Superintendent of the Department of Navigation. Subjects of the evidence included tides, the heights of vessels, and preferred placement of the piers
Appendix D Return showing the height of masts of some vessels
Appendix E Specification and Conditions upon which tenders were invited in May, 1901
Appendix F Evidence given in 1902. This consists of transcripts of evidence given between 18 and 31 July, 1902 This evidence consisted of discussions with the tenderers concerning their designs, particularly engineering and cost matters.
Appendix G Letters sent to tenderers
Appendix H Evidence given in 1903. This consisted of detailed discussions with the successful tenderers and the consideration of the Freezing method of shaft sinking which was proposed for the main northern pier.
Appendix I Lithograph copies of Plans and Photographs accompanying the reports. These include elevation, site plans, sections, plans of northern and southern approaches, height diagram, and a coloured perspective view of the Messers J. Stewart & Co plan
Appendix J. Lithograph sketches of designs submitted 30 June, 1902 (Cleveland Bridge Co, Sir William Arrol & Co and head, Wrightson & Co, C. Weaver, E & C Bridge Co, A. Findlay & Co; Fives-Lille Co; J. Stewart & Co. Design Nos. 1 - 6
Appendix K Lithograph Sketches of designs received 16 March, 1903 (The Cleveland Bridge Co, William Kenwood; Sir William Arrol & Co and Head, Wrightson & Co, E & C Bridge Co, J. Stewart & Co (Amended Design submitted 16 March, 1903)

The series consists of two items. The first is a volume which contains the full report and appendices in a bound volume. The second is a folder which contains a loose set of the plans (Appendixes I-K only)

The number 1/209 (scored out) appears on the front endpapers of this volume. Its significance is unknown. It was possibly a location symbol when the record was active or in storage.

Custody History
This record series which was handed to the Archives Authority of NSW on 11 June 1968 by the Bradfield family, was apparently an archival estray.