A newly-discovered letter written by Isambard Kingdom Brunel has revealed what the Clifton Suspension Bridge could have looked like without his guidance on its final design. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust discovered the almost 170-year-old letter which was written during the construction of the bridge.
Offering his guidance on its final design the letter from the famed engineer, whose name is now synonymous with the iconic Bristol landmark, has revealed evidence that without his intervention the bridge as we know it today would look ‘dramatically different’.
During the early 1850s, the unfinished Clifton Suspension Bridge project was abandoned due to a lack of funds. In 1851, American engineer Edward Wellman Serrell offered to finish the bridge using iron wire at a cheaper cost, the Trust says. In response to this proposal, Brunel wrote to the bridge committee sharing his concerns regarding this ‘quick and easy’ way to finish the bridge.
In his letter, Brunel says: “If you have a wire bridge, let it be as good a bridge as if you had had a bar iron one.” Although Serrell’s proposal was recorded, little was known of Brunel’s response before the discovery of the letter, which emphasises Brunel’s desire for the bridge to not only be strong, but also to look strong, in order to ensure people would feel confident enough to use it.
An image from the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust shows the combination of Serrell’s iron wire suspension bridge and Brunel’s tower, as an example of how the iconic Bristol bridge could have ended up looking.
The letter is one of many historical artefacts now available in the archive at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum. Commenting on the collection, museum archivist Dr Hannah Little said: “We are absolutely thrilled to unveil the incredible collection of historic artefacts, including Brunel’s ‘Serrell’ letter, which offer as yet undiscovered glimpses into Brunel’s thoughts leading to the final design and construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
“As an accredited heritage site our archive is now richer than ever as our collection continues to grow, providing visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the remarkable history and engineering marvels of the past. We can’t wait to share these treasures with the public and inspire a deeper appreciation for Bristol’s iconic heritage.”
Clifton Suspension Bridge recently celebrated the prestigious award of Accredited Museum status awarded by Arts Council England.