Earth Views

One of [Telford's most impressive bridges] was to get across the Menai Straits to Anglesey, 200 yards across vicious tides and deep water. The Admiralty insisted that the bridge must be high enough to let the largest ships sail below with masts erect, and he couldn't make a timber frame to build an arch over the top, because they would not allow even a temporary obstruction. Telford designed an amazing suspension bridge, easily the longest in the world at that time. At each end he planned a massive tower, 153 feet above the high-water mark. Between them he would hang sixteen chains, and then the roadway would be built hanging from the chains, 579 feet long and 30 feet wide.

The chains were made of 9-foot links, each of thirty-six iron bars half an inch square. Would it be possible to lift these massive chains up the towers? For several nights, as tension mounted, the normally imperturbable Telford was unable to sleep. Finally, on 26 April 1825, hundreds of people on the banks watched as the chain was floated underneath on a massive raft, then winched up on cables by 150 men heaving on capstans. When it reached the top of the tower there was a colossal cheer, and three men walked high above the sea to the other tower across the 9-inch wide chain!

On 30 January 1826 the Menai Bridge opened for traffic, and at 1.35 am the Down Royal London and Holyhead mail coach rumbled over the bridge...