Leeds news on todays date (July 9) in 1870 and 1873.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 12:42 pm

The following are from Mayhall's 'Annals of Yorkshire' volume 3:-July 9 1870. "The omnibus running from Leeds to Boston Spa was overturned when opposite the barracks on the Roundhay Road. The suddenness of the accident prevented the passengers from attempting to escape, and those on the roof were precipitated to the ground with great violence, and several injured, three of them being removed to the Infirmary. The inside of the 'bus was occupied chiefly by women, and one of them, named Mary Ann Taylor, of Staincliffe, near Dewsbury, received such injuries as caused her death."The next is just a small extract from a long report.July 9 1873. "The Mayor of Leeds formally opened the new Leeds Bridge, at the bottom of Briggate, erected in place of the old and dangerous one, which for so many years occupied the site...The new bridge has a graceful single span across the river, built on the skew, with an angle of 11¼ deg., the several arches of the old bridge having given place to one 102 ft. 6 ins. long, the centre of which is 12 ft. 6 ins. above the ordinary water line. Good approaches and easy gradients are secured. The arch springs from remarkably good stone abutments of rusticated masonry. Through the north abutment there is a 7 feet culvert, and on the south (for the bend of the river) a 10 feet culvert. Additional safety and stability are imparted by inside girders and cross girders of wrought iron, covered by Malett's patent buckled plates..." (there was much more!).I've never noticed that the bridge is "built on the skew", so I must look out for that. In a dictionary it gives this definition of skew arch/skew bridge "An arch or bridge with the line of the arch not at right angles to the abutment". I didn't know that!

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 12:54 pm

I wonder what the quality of the roads were like in 1870?(My mam's comment when something wasn't level would be, "It's skew-wiff"). I can hear her saying it now

grumpybloke · Post by **grumpybloke** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 3:00 pm

In a dictionary it gives this definition of skew arch/skew bridge "An arch or bridge with the line of the arch not at right angles to the abutment". I didn't know that! There's a good one like that in the viaduct near Domestic Street where Hol Beck used to go.

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 4:23 pm

When you thnk about it Leeds Bridge should be one of the most famous in the world, being the location of the famous film.

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 4:34 pm

BarFly wrote: When you thnk about it Leeds Bridge should be one of the most famous in the world, being the location of the famous film. It was only in 2008 when I was 49 that I was aware of the film/photographer and only then because I was told of the Leodis website and saw/read about him.Why hasn't a film been made about the guy?Someone somewhere must know something?It's all very odd.....