Banana Bridge Tea Towel

Langton Street Bridge- the “Banana Bridge” no 7. in a series

During the middle ages Bristol’s port flourished and later Bristol’s merchants found ever expanding opportunities for trade with the American Colonies. As ships became larger and shipping traffic increased the docks became more and more overcrowded.
The tidal range of the rivers in the Bristol Channel is the second greatest of any in the world (the biggest is the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada). At Avonmouth the tide can rise and fall as much as 14 metres twice a day and even in Bristol the water level can change as much as 12 metres. This meant that water would drain away at low tide leaving ships grounded in the mud.
Eventually a new scheme was developed by engineer William Jessop to create a Floating Harbour (completed 1809) which would trap the water behind lock gates and allow ships to remain floating at all times. The New Cut was dug as part of the Floating Harbour plans to create a tidal bypass for smaller vessels that could lock in at Bathurst lock or Totterdown lock allowing the main locks at Cumberland Basin to handle larger ships.
The New Cut was used in this way until the Second World War. The 1000 strong labour force was largely composed of English and Irish navvies, well experienced in digging canals across Britain.
Langton Street footbridge was built in 1883 by Finch and Co. of Chepstow. It was used first as a temporary bridge at Bedminster whilst a new one was built. Then two barges were brought underneath it and, as the tide in the New Cut rose, these lifted it clear of its base. The barges were then towed upstream and repositioned so that the bridge settled into its new position as the tide ebbed. It is known locally as “the Banana Bridge” due to its unusual shape, and was painted an appropriate yellow colour by Bristol City Council in recognition of its nickname.

Designed, printed and manufactured in the UK.
100% cotton