1 A salute to the past MAIN RQADS It may be hard to reason what makes something a truly great event. Some would choose to refer to the attendance JOURNALOFTHE DEPARTMENTOF MAIN ROADS, figures: the size of the crowd. Others would choose to see how readily the event is recalled in the memories of those MARCH 1982.VOLUME47No. 1 who took part. ISSN 0025-0597 Whichever criterion is used, the celebration of the opening of Harbour Bridge has deservedly been written into the books as the greatest mass event in Australia’s history No other event in our past achieved such a popular response in terms of crowds. No other event has been know for such a spectacle. The procession, the flypast and the harbour activities were each attended by hundreds of thousands of spectators. In CONTENTS all. it was estimated that well over a million people took part in the opening day celebrations, most of whom decided to 3 THE MAKING OFA MASTERPIECE walk across the bridge before it opened to vehicular traffic at midnight. 8 19MARCH1932 Fifty years later, it is no wonder that “the Bridge” is a household name for Sydney’s residents and a worthy landmark to its visitors. Of the people behind the bridge, perhaps there is no more - outstanding example of enthusiasm and genius than 14 THE MEN WHOBUILTTHE BRIDGE Dr. J. J. C. Bradfield. He was so thorough in his work that 16 1932 CELEBRATION POSTER before tenders were opened, he had calculated the details and design the bridge and supplied the tenderers 18 POETRY IN STEEL of to full particulars of the quantities and prices of the material 21 DEGROOT.. .THEMANWHOBEAT to be used. LANG TO THE TAPE By allowing the tenderers to incorporate their own special- 24 TALES AND FESTMTIES OF OPENING DAY ity in manufacture and details, Bradfield probably saved the 31 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTSAND State about f150.000. The proposa!s he made were FACTSAND FIGURES subjected to detailed investigation by the worlds leading bridge engineers and designers. One of the tenderers reported: “We have lodged our designs and tenders . . . and we can suggest nothing better than Mr. Bradfield has put before us.” However, Bradfield’s design was modified by Dorman. Long & Co., the winning tenderers. The changes must have provided a design at least as good as the original; othenuise it would not have been accepted by Bradfield. The bridge’s construction was hailed as an engineering mawel and soon won world acclaim. An outline of the construction appears in this issue (pp 3-8),and a chron- ology of events appears on p 31. Front cwer: The two half- reach into An official opening was held on 19 March a day of the harbour skyline. Back covec Repro- 1932, ductlon fmm A.t in Auslrdla. courtesy of great pageanty and not without incident. For De Groot, John Fairfax and Sons. a member of the , spurred his horse forward and slashed out with his sword, beating the Premier to the Issued by the Commissioner for Main Roads, B. N. Loder. ribbon. as had been the talk of the day. The whole incident Price one dollar was conducted in the best manner of melodrama. Annual subscription four dollars post free Yet even such an incident could do little to mar the day. Editors may us0 information contained in this Journal unless The opening celebrations were a fitting tribute to the toil speciallyindicated to the contray, provided the exact reference thereto is quoted and effort of the thousands who gave of themselves in order to complete the task. Additional copies of this journal may be obtained from the Public Relations Section. Department of Main Roads, It is our hope that this special issue of Main Roads will 309 Castlereagh Street. SydneK NewSouth Wales, Australia be, in some small but lasting way, our salute to the people Tweset by Dalley Photocomposition involved, as we recall some of the tales and opening day Printed by Seabom Printing Pty Ltd. festivities of our world-famous Bridge.

2 MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 TH€ MAKING F at- A MAST€R-

Snmmary of the design The bearings spread their load through M~~ 1927-n~steel hinge pin muin The Sydney Harbour Bridge a steel large blocks into a foundation bearing On the south-enst corner of the arch, hinged at the base on each side of of Solid sandstone. bridge’s foundations. The four maln benlng. the harbour. A steel deck hangs from the uny the entire wdght of thc arch span and The pylons hich are mainly decorative, its lo*g, arch and live steel truss approach spans do not directly contribute to supporting lead up to each side. the arch and deck. The pylons are hollow. crete were used. The skewbacks were The hinges, or bearings, support the full constructed of reinforced concrete and well founded in solid sandstone. weight of the bridge and allow the bridge are faced with granite to give them more visual appeal. The bearings were an assembly of cast to move as the steel expands or con- and forged steel weighing 300 tonnes Prevents the steelwork from There are five Warren-type steel truss ap- each. They were placed using hydraulic fracturing Or buckling as it warms and proach spans on each side of the har- jacks for an exact alignment and were Cools the day. The arch rise bour. These rest on concrete piers also then concreted into place. or fall as much as 180mm during ex- faced with granite, trernes of temperature. The structure can The skewbacks. as well as forming the safely withstand temperature variations foundations for the bearings, also formed the base of the abutment towers up to 49°C and winds up to 200 krnh Initial construction and pylons. The abutment towers are hol- The bridge was designed to cany four rail The tender of & Co. Ltd. IOW and constructed of reinforced con- lines. six road and WO foo~ays. of , England, was for- crete. The base measure of each is 68 x Total capacity was estimated at 160 mally accepted on 24 March. 1924. at a 49 m. Total height of the pylons is 87 m. trains per hour. 6,000 vehicles per hour contract price of f4.217.721. Altogether Construction of the pylons above deck and 4O.OOO pedestrians per hour. 20 designs from six different companies level did not commence until after the The designers of the 1920s would surely were received, including seven different main arch had been joined and the sup be surprised to realise that by means of designs from Dorman Long and CO. porting cables removed. today’s traffic management methods, the The approach spans were erected from Department records an average annual The excavations for the foundations of with peak the main bearings and approach span the inshore ends towards the harbour. daily Rwof 160,000 piers were commenced in January. 1925. Five tonne steam locomotive cranes days up to 200,000 and with 14,700 in the were used to erect temporary timber peak hour. Dug to depth of 12.2 m. the foundations. trestling. which in turn supported the The function of the arch is to support the know as skewbacks. were filled with con- steel approach spans during construe deck of the bridge. It carries the entire crete laid in special hexagonal forma- tion. The moved along the timber weight of both the main span bridge deck lions. Immediately under the main work erecting each new section in front and all the road, rail and pedestrian traf- bearings. at the top of the skewbacks. of it as it went. On reaching the location fic on it. special reinforcing and high grade con- for each pier, the crane would help in

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 3 their construction before moving on to build the next section of timber trestling. Following behind the steam crane was a 25 tonne electric crane which placed the steel span on top of the timber supports. / As each span was completed the timber trestling was dismantled and re-erected in the next section. This procedure was repeated until all five spans on each side of the harbour were completed. The end of the fifth span rests on the abutment tower. Moruya granite The facing of the piers and pylons is of high quality granite. quarried near the New South Wales south coast town of Moruya. Altogether some 18 OOO cubic metres of rock facing were required for the bridge project. Wastage from the was crushed and used in the concrete for the bridge. Three 400 tonne ships were built at the Government Dockyards at Newcastle. New South Wales, to transport the rock from Moruya to Sydney. The ships were' specially designed for the task and had special holds for the rapid loading and unloading of the granite. The workshops Two main workshops were constructed on the site of the original Milsons Point Br station.The smallermeasured40x 180m and had a 40 x 61 m template shop erected directly above it. Four 25 tonne capacity cranes were installed there along with smaller hoists and travelling cranes. Theotherworkshopmeasured45x 152m and was used for the manufacture of the larger and heavier sections of the bridge steelwork. This workshop had two 120 tonne capacity cranes. Steel unloaded from the steamers was transferred to the stockyard to be sorted and stacked. It was then dealt Mth by two straightening machines. one with a cap- acity for straightening plates up to 57 mm thick and the other capable of straighten- ing angles 305 x 305 x 32 mm. The material was then handled by heay shearing machines, cold saws and planing machines, and marked for drill- ing from templates. This required a high degree of skill and accuracy, as the ulti-

November 1927-Constructlon of the muthan abuiment in pr-. octobcr 1929-uftb3 tho m.ln .p.n pat mwbor frmn a base h midharbatr. Nowmber 1929-The beglnningsdthearch: Lmlrias .wth horn Fltzmy Sbat.1 Mlb Polnt.

4 MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 mate correctness of the fabrication de. pended upon it. 4’ After the drilling, riveting and assembling, the ends of all members were carefully machined before being butted together. To ensure a pedect fit, all members con- necting at the main truss joints were assembled in their respective positions on the floor of the shops, prior to their despatch for erection. Full credit must be given to the skill of the workshops per- sonnel in the fabrication of those parts.

Constroction of the arch The problem which confronted the builders was how to erect the huge arch without placing temporay supports in the harbour. Apart from the hazard to shipping, such supports would have also been expensive and difficult to place on the muddy harbour floor. The solution was to build the arch in halves, holding each half back with steel cables firmly anchored in large horse- shoe shaped tunnels dug into rock be- tween the first and second piers of the approach spans. Each of the 128 cables weighed 8.5 tonnes, was 366 m long and was made up of 217 individual wires. The tunnels were 36 m long and sloped at 45 de- grees. The cables were attached to the arch by temporay “fish tail” plates fitted to the end of the top chord. RESUMPTIONS June 1930-The tvo hhm d the achb.sr near. In the fotegmmduube- bloduof More than 300 buildings in the Rocks Moruya granite .rcmMcd for the MBuc- The creeper cranes area were demolished to make way tion of the *. for the bridge. Most of them were old. After the approach spans had been dirty and dilapidated. Some were in erected and the abutment towers com- The cranes were assembled on tempor- such a condition that the demolishers ay ramps constructed on the abutment pleted to deck level, work commenced on demanded extra money because of the main arch. towers. They were then used to erect the the discomfort caused by the various first section of the arch span. This section Early work involved the erection of the kinds of insects. contained the largest and heaviest indi- two giant electric creeper-cranes, the vidual members of the whole bridge. mainstay of the bridge’s construction. SURVEY TRIANGULATION The cranes, supplied by Wellman Smith Visitors to the Royal Botanical doining the arch and Owen Engineering Corp Ltd. of Gardens might notice several cast- Steelwork fabricated in the workshops Great Britain, were designed specifically iron boxes set in the turf Connecting was taken by barge to beneath the to travel along the top of the arch, erec- these with the bridge’s construction, to creeper cranes perched high over the ting the bridge members before them as most, would seem quite unlikely. harbour and lifted into position. they went. There are eight boxes in all. Three are The erection of the arch began on 26 Oc- Each crane weighed 580 tonnes and had in the Gardens and one is on a lawn tober 1928 and construction proceeded a lifting capacity of 123 tonnes. They in the grounds of Government House. at a rapid pace. The record was set on 26 were also fitted with an auxiliay 20 tonne The boxes mark the ends of the two November 1929 when 607 tonnes of jigger hoist to help control the heavy baselines used in the triangulation of steelwork were erected in one day. By bridge members as they were being pos- the bridge’s centreline. The surveyor. August 1930 the two half-arches were itioned. a five tonne walking crane to lift in his zeal for accuracy. drove two sur. ready to be joined. vey pegs into the tennis lawn of Gov. work cages and hvo 2.5 tonne cranes fit- ernment House. which somewhat The northern half-arch was ready for join- ted to the back of the creeper crane car- ing on 4 August 1930 and the southern riage to assist in the ~tingstages. interfered with his popularity in those quarters. half-arch three days later. The gap be- Because of their enormous weight and tween the giant arms was only 1.07 m. precarious position on the end of the half Two boxes are located at Milsons The slow and careful slackening of the Dawes Point, on the arches. it was important that these cranes Point and cables commenced on 7 August and was did not slip orcause sudden jolts. For this bridge’s centreline as fixed after pre- to continue for several days. The slacken- reason the “creeping” mechanism was liminay sulwys. The other hvo are at ing process was carried out around the fitted with a special braking system. Kirribilli and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. clock.

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 5 THE CABLES Ralph Freeman, designer of tht bridge, described the work of tht cables in supporting the hvo arms o the bridge alrh: “Each of the 128 cables is secured tc the bridge stnrcture by two pamlle bolts, with nuts running on screu threads, allowing any cables to bi slacked 20 inches. When first erectec the end posts of the half arches ow. the abutment were inclined backward! 30 inchesfrom the vertical. As the ha! arches advanced owr the Harboul the pull on the cables increased to the I. maximum of 110 tons per rope, caus ing the cables to stretch about I: inches, so that when the half archei were completed the end posh were set back about 17 inches and the gaj ot the centre was about 42 inches. “In releasing the cables to allow the half arches to meet, the pull of ewq cable in turn is transferred from the bo nuts securing it to a hpdraulic jack, The nuts are drawn back on the screws four inches. and the cable is Juno 1930-An mudvmtago paint horn The Sydney Morning Herald of 20 AU then slacked back against the resist. urithin the culye of the northem approach gust 1930 described the joining of the ince the jack until the pressure is snrn of arch in more personal terms: tansferred to the nuts in the new posi- Son. THESTRAINRElAXES ’This process reduces the pull on a “At 5 o’clock, Mr. Lawrence Ennis, the mrticular cable and increases that on On 13 August, before the two mighty bridge builder, and Mr. Ralph Free 111 the rest, the effect being to sbetch half-arches had joined, severe wind man, the designer, reached solid earth hem all a definite amount of one- squalls hit Sydney. Many of the pes+ with flushed, triumphant faces. Their hirty-second of an inch and cause the mists who had confidently predicted it eyes told a stoy of tremendous strain md posts to mow forward this dis- would all fall into the harbour thought suddenly relaxed. The lowering pro- once exactly. This mows the centre their day had arrived. At 9.15 p.m.. 110 cess had not been completed, but the )f the arch one-sixteenth of an inch, km/h winds from the west~north-west anxiety was over. The pins would idtakes four minutes to do, so that were recorded. bringing with them a dust newr mow completely apart again. he process, which is perfectly steady storm and a sprinkle of rain. “The last stage developed into a mce tnd under complete conbol, moves Lawrence Ennis, Director of Construc- between the men who were releasing he half arch forward at the rate of tion, described standing on the forward the cables and thefalling temperature. me-sixty-fourth of an inch a minute. end of one half-arch watching the other After 5 o’clock the steelwork contmc- ’. . . the total reduction in the gap, by sway in the wind as an “impressive sight”! ted so rapidly that the slackening Iwen’ng, is about three inches in a Although the actual movement was quite cables could not keep the arch arms uorking day. The actual movement is small (barely 7.5 cm),it was nevertheless together, although the pilot pins were ,omplicated by tempemture changes, an impressive display of the forces of still in their sockets. Under the glare of uhich alone during an ordinay fine nature. as each arm weighed approxi- arc lights, with whistles shrilling and fay reduce the gap by about three mately 15 000 tonnes. telephones ringing, the slow battle dragged on, hour by hour, until whes between 8 a.m. and 4 pm So. The slackening process continued, until oughly. each day at 4 o’clock the gap towards midnight the arms began 4.15 p.m. on 19 August 1930, when the again to approach each other. i reduced six inches. and then opens two halves touched for the first time. p during the night by three inches. However, the contraction of the cables “In the early morning hours human We now look fotward to the end of and steelwork as the temperature patience won. The arms touched, the iis stage of the work with ewy confi- dropped in the evening caused the gap to pins thrust firmly into their sockets, knce of success. and not without re-open. The gap was closed again at 10 ond the temfic shin of all that steel rested no longer on the cables, but on rgitimate pride . . . “ p-m., permanently linking the north and south shores of Sydney Harbour. the bearings that will hold its weight le concluded by paying a tribute to for all time. amnce Ennis and his staff of engin- The next morning the Australian flag and “Abow the sleeping city the bridge- err. as well as to the Austmlian work- Union Jack were flying from the jibs of builders smiled, shook hands, and len employed vho were “unexcelled the creeper cranes signalling the success then went home to bed. The job was I the histoy of bridge building”, of the operation to the residents of Syd- done.” ney Every worker involved in releasing

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 the cables was given a golden sovereign and other bridge woAers a two shilling piece in order to join in the toast “success to the Bridge”. Everyworkerwas given an hour and a half off. With the arch joined, the cables were re- moved. The next task was to fill in the “tri- angle” at the apex, converting the arch from its temporary three hinged status to its completed two hinged form. The correct stressing of the top chord using hydraulic jacks was as important as the joining of the arch itself. Fortunately, 8 September 1930 was an overcast day vith mild temperatures. The twenty ther- mometers distributed around the arch in- dicated that the temperature was spread equally throughout the structure. The jacks forced apart the gap in the top chord, steel spacing slabs were inserted in the gap and the jacks were removed. The arch was now converted to its two hinge form and was complete, ready for the deck to be placed. The h8ngers and deck Work then commenced on the main deck, which was erected from the centre outwards. This made use of the creeper cranes which were already in the centre of the bridge.

March 1932-A find IngPcaoa of the uch and dock before the 0tficl.l opening. 51 - November 1930-The brldge nears cam- Won as theconcrete bddngi. wd on the - L II nmthem approach sp~.

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 7 DI. J. J. C. Bra&&. appointed Chief E@n- erof Sydney Harbour In 1912. waa the I.. drlulng force behind thc planning and desbn d the brih.

I .

IIw The hangers were lifted into place using a specially designed cradle. This enabled them to be positioned underneath the arch in a place not accessible by the cranes’ lifting cables. The hangers varied in length from 58.8 m at the centre to 7.3 m at each end. Hangers on each side of the bridge sup- ported the crossbeams which carried the B9MARCH 1932 deck. The folloumg reports appared in the “Mr. Lang said the completion of the The railways (and tramways) were lo- Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, 19 bridge was symbolical of the unity the cated immediately on either side of the March 1932, summarising the opening people ofNew South Wales were striuing hanger, the vehicle lanes in the centre ceremony: after. Statesmen of the past hod set out and the footway (and cycleway) on the to builda bridge of common understand. HARBOUR BRIDGE OPENING ing that would the whole oj the extreme~~ outside. This confiauration sew brought the heaviest~loadsclosest -~~ to the Memorable Scenes onhndand Water people of our great continent. That hangers. allowing the cross beams to be bridge, unlike the Harbour Bridge, was lighter. This also reduced both the total RECoRDCRoWDSINTHECITY still building. weight the bridge had to caw, and the Message of Congratulation from the “Other speaken paid tributes to the skill total Size and weight of the structure. King of the bridge engineers and workmen, and expressed the hope that the oc- The relative of the deck con. ‘2clear blue skv and a fresh sea breeze StruCtion enabled rapid progress to be made conditions ideal for the official casion of the opening of the stmcture made so that all steelwork for the deck Opening Of s!Jdmy Harbour Bridge would herald in an era of prosperity and had &en placed within nine months of by the fkLong) this morning. goodwill. the closing of the a&. with the deck in ft was a memorable scene, and fittiwb “There was an exciting scene far those in place the bo creeper cranes were dis. marked the realisation ofthe dream cher- the vicinity of the entrance to the bridge. mantled. ished by many generations. A man who, dressed in military unlfon, “Euery vantage point was crowded. hadfollowed the Gowrnor-General$ es. In Februay1932 the bridge was test Newr before had so many people gath- cort on to the approach, suddenly gal- loaded. four rail tracks were loaded ered together in sdney,H[srorv was to loped up to the ribbon stretching across with a total of 72 steam locomotives, be and it seemed that eve~ne the bridge roadway, which Mr. Lang was placed bufferto buffer. Different loading upon being assaciated with to sever in declaring the bridge open, and configurations were tried by removing heewni. cut it with his sword. He was quickly the engines from one side or from one dmggedfrom his horse and placed under end. Instruments measured the smallest “The lSir read arrest. deflection or movement in the bridge. message from His Westy the King con- gratulating the people of New South “The pageant that followed the opening After more than three weeks of tests, Wales upon the successful conclusion of was most impressive os it proceeded measurements and checks, the bridge the enterprise, and expressing the earn. through the city streets and across the was declared to have passed with @ng est hope that the bridge might be a bridge. ” colours, conforming with eve y one of the means of increasing their prosperity and designers’ and builders’ expectations. contributing to theircomfort and wlfore. ReproducedcouMEy ofJohn FalrfarondSons.

R MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 The Governor of New South Wales, Sir "It is my earnest hope that the bridge Lady Game. Premier Jack Lang. M1s. Lang . and the Premier of New mail be a means of increasing the pros^ and Sir Philip Game before the ceremony. South Wales. Jack Lang. were the first to perit)' and of contributing to the comfort (Reproduced fmm The 05cloi Opening of speak at the opening ceremony. Their and welfare not only of the citizens of the Svdnev Harbour Bridge.) speeches are reproduced below. Sydney but of the whole of the people of us a lasting monument which has its New South Wales." The Governor's speech moral lesson as well as its material use. "I am now to have the honour of unveil- "Your Excellencies. Mr. Prime Minister. The Governor said he had replicd on be^ ing the tablet which names this great Mr. Premier, Ladies and Gentlemen. half of the people of New South Wales: achievement 'The Sydney Harbour "As His Majesty's representative I am "The people of New South Wales and all Bridge' and the roadway linking the city privileged to read to you the gracious those u'ho have helped in the completion with the northern suburbs 'The Bradfield message which the King has sent to his of the Sydney Harbour Bridge desire to Highway'. The tablet is let into the wall in people of New South Wales on this great express to His Majesty their unbounded its southern face where the roadway nar~ occasion. loyalty and affection and to tender to him rows a hundred yards to my right. I am their heartfelt thanks for his gracious afraid not many of you can see it hut as "His Majesty's message is as follows. message of thanks on the occasion ofthe I unveil the tablet the Union Jack will be "I have learnt with greatpleasure that the opening ceremony. broken at the mast head immediately Sydney Harbour Bridge has now been Sir Philip Game continued: above it. completed and I desire to congratulate "I uNill now unveil the tablet. my people of New South Wales and all "Ladies and Gentlemen. I will not detain "Ladies and Gentlemen. I wish to draw who have been concerned with the plan~ you long. Of the material wonders of the your attention to one more tablet without ning and construction of the bridge on bridge I am not qualified to speak. But no which the bridge u'ould have been incom~ the successful conclusion of the enter^ one can live almost in its shadow uiithout plete. Irefertoa tabletplacedon thearch prise. paying continual, even if silent. tribute to at the end of the bridge recording those "Today. which sees the formal opening the marueis of design and u'orkmanship officially associated with its construction of this magnificent triumph of engineer^ u'hich have fashioned bb'the hand of man and completion. Prominence is given to a bridge which adds beauty anddignity to ing skill. will be memorable ia the annals two names, those of Mr. Lawrence his, of New South Wales. It will be remem- the works of nature around and about it. Director of Construction and Dr. Brad- bered with legitimate pride and satisfac~ "Bridge builder has been a proud title field. Chief Engineer, and I feel convin- tion by a11 those who have played their throughout the centuries. Is it too much ced that you will all agree that this is pari in the conception. design and ex. to hope that the builders of Sydney entirelyfitting. ecution of this great work. the largest Harbour Bridge have builded (sic) even "I nou' call upon the Honourable the in the world. better than they knew and have given Premier to address the gathering.''

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 9 .

-:,

Premier's speech "Just as Sydney has completed this material bridge which will unite her "The achievement of this Bridge is sym- people. so will Australia ultimately per- bolical of the things Australians stn'ue for. fect the bridge which it commenced just but have not yet obtained. over thirty years ago. "The Bridge itself unites people who "The statesmen of that period set out to haw similar aims and ideals. but are diu- build a bridge of Common Understand- "On behalf of the Northern Suburbs. I ided by physical geographical bound- ing. that would serve the whole of the wish to express the gratification we feel aries. people of our great Continent. in participating in this historic and momentous ceremony. It is the reaiis- "The unity is brought about by a har- "That bridge. unlike this. is still building. ation of over a century's agitation and ef- monious blending of English and Aus- "The builders of that bridge. as the fort. We rejoice that we are now directly tralian resources. builders of this bridge, meet with disap- linked with the Great City of Sydney and "The engineering brains and the financial pointments. which make the task difficult we hope to share with it the benefits facilities of the Centre of Empire. haw sometimes-often delicate, which must result from ready communi- combined with the skill, the labour and "But that Bridge of Understanding cation. From today on a continuous con- determination of the Australian people. course of people and traffic will flow among the Australian people will yet be "This amalgamation has produced an built and will cony her on to that glorious between these kindred territories bring- edifice that is of great utility to the people destination. which evey man who loves ing about increasedcommercial dewlop- ment and activity. Vast tracts of country of New South Wales. that is an adom- our natiw county. feefs is in store for ment to the City to which it belongs. and her. yet untouched will be opened up and new a pride to the whole Empire. residential districts created, thus adding "I now oficiaUy declare Sydney Harbour to the wealth of the community. The "ft is the fulfilment of a dream enter- Bridge open for trafic. and by pressing beauties and advantages of the northern toined by many of our pioneers. who this Button. will unwil a Tablet recording beaches will be made accessible. The haw not lived to see its realisation. thfsfact. time required for daily travel will be coil- "The Sydney Harbour Bridge has been "At the conclusion of these proceedings. siderably reduced, adding to the health many years building. I shall complete the Opening Ceremony and leisure of the people. "Long before the engineer drew the of severing the ribbon stretched across "After many years of umiting. of toil and plans. or the labourer turned the sod, the the highway and duplicated on the Bridge anxiety. the Sydney Harbour Bridge now people of Sydney dreamed about. itse/J " stands dominant and majestic. ready to worked for. and fought owr. the bridge An extract of the speech delivered by the take its part in our National Life. an which is about to be made auailoble to Mayor of North Sydney, Alderman H. L. inspiration to higher thoughts and them. Primrose. follows: deeds . . ."

10 MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 SCHOOLCHILDREN RELAY on the occasion of the completion and MESSAGE OF GOODWILL opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In a period marked by deep economic de- The message comes from the heart of pression, the opening of the Sydney Har- New South Wales and has been con- bour Bridge was a symbol of hope. It was Eyed to you by relays of pupilsfirstfrom fitting. therefore. that the future leaders Totienham near the centre of the State of the State played a special role in the and thence from school to school. The official opening celebrations. pupils hove travelled on foot. by pony. bicycle and car, and they have been On 'Children's Day', 16 March 1932, cheered on their way by many thousands 50.000 pupils marched across the new of children and their parents who are with bridge in a downpour of rain. They were you today in spirit and who join with you given a school holiday on the day before in the earnest prayer: God Bless Our Fair the opening in recognition of this deed. Australia!" Meanwhile, relays of schoolchildren At the end of the message appeared the were carrying a message of goodwill names of the schools that participated in from Tottenham. the geographical heart the relays and the signatures of teachers. of New South Wales. to reach the Prem- schoolchildren. the Minister for Edu- ier on 19 March 1932. cation, the Hon. W. Davies. the Director At the conclusion of the formal ad- of Education, G. Ross Thomas. and A. J. dresses. a scroll was officially presented McCoy, Headmaster of Darlinghurst Jun- to the Premier by the Captains of Fort ior Technical School. who conceived the Street Girls' and Fort Street Boys' High idea of the message. Schools. It was worded as follows: After accepting the scroll. the Premier The Captains of Fort Sbact Girld and Fort "A Message of Goodwill and Congratu- said: Street Boyd High Schools road the messwe lations from the Heart of New South "I am grateful to you and to all the of goodvlll which was relayed from the centre Wales on the Occasion of the Com~ children who have taken part in re- of NwSouth Wale to tho Rwier at the pletion and Opening of the Sydney Har- laying this message. wgc opening. bour Bridge. "With you, I pray that God will bless To the Honourable John T. Lang, Australia. that He will give her the M.L.A. greatest blessing that any county Premier of New South Wales can have-a wide generation of Greeting! bright-eyed. healthy children. This is a message of Goodwill and Con- reverencing the God who made SchwkhlIdr&- given a chance to see the gratulations to the Councils of Sydney them and loving the county that bridge three day%Wore Its official opmlw. and I- People of New South Wales bore them."

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 11 P0k.e 2. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE OPENED.

The Govenar mf New South Waln (Sir Philip Came). presided. and read ~h.message from Hi* Majesty the Kiag, reproduced on paw 3.

The Premier of New Sonth Wales (The Honourable J. T. Lang) declared the Bridge open.

Other spatcm were: The Hon. M. A. Davidson (Mimister for Public Work.). Alderman S. Wrldcr (The Right Howourable the Lord Mayor of Sydnry). MI. D. Clyne (M.L.A. for King. City of Sydney). Mr. B. Howe (M.L.A. for h'orth Sydney), Alderman H. L. Prim- (Mayor of North Sydney). Dr. J. J, C. Bradfield (Lginrrr.in-Chkf. Sydney Harbour Eridge). The Hon. Roland D. Kima. D.S.O., M.C. [Vvc-Chaima, Dormm. Long and Co.. Ltd.. the Bridge Builden). .ad MI. Lvreocc Ennil. O.B.E. (Dwector of Conilruction for thc Builder.).

Tableb. the texts of which arc rcproduccd an page 3 of cover. were unveiled by the Governor. the Premier. and the Lord Mayor.

The Premier. with gold scissors presented to him by Mr. Roland Killon. on behalf of MIWS. Doman. Long and Co.. Ltd.. CUI a ribbon on the Southern Approach. signifying the olyning of the Bridge.

The Mayor 01 North Sydwy. with the gold .c1smri wed at the olynins of tk Bayomne (Kill Vm Kull) Bridge, New York. im Novcmbrr. 1931. CUI a ribbon on the Northcm Approach. signifying emtry UIO North Sidney.

The Premier was prcvntrd with a meilage of PmdWill and congratulation from the muntry school ehildrm to Ihc citizen. of Sydney in particular and the citizens of the State in gcncml on the iucceuful romplclioa and official opming of the largest arch bridge in lk world.

Then followed >urial and aquatic dinplay., a pagcmt (hcadcd by 750 school children) prlnyillg the history of New Soulh Wales (and Auslralta) from the landing of Captain Cmk. ad a Harbur procnsion of occm liners and numcrou~ other VLIYIS. piloted by the "Gphia &k." he Auwralian pdot ttcnmr lumed afkr he Great Circurnnaviwbr.

The official pucl(i of the New South Wale. Cwernment inclvdcd tk followins:-The Cwcmor- General md Ldy 1.a.u. Lady Cmr. #he Lieutcnm-Governor of Victoria and Lady Irvine. the Gucrner of South Audralia and Lady Horc-Ruthven. the Prime Minister of Australia (The Hon. J. A, L ond and MIS. Lyons. Ihc Minmln for Home Affair, (The Hon. Acchdak Parkhill) and Mrs. Parthil{ tbc Fcderal Miniater for Health (The Hon. C. W. C. Marr) and Mrs. Marr. the As.istant Minister for Customs (The Hon. J. A. Perkins) and Mrs. Perkins. Admiral G. Blake (Third Lord of the Admiralty). Licut.-Cencral Sir Harry Chauvcl. Admiral J. B. Stevenson. C.M.G.. and Mn. Stevenson. the Chid Justice (Sir Phillip Strwt) and Lady Streel. all the Consular Rcprcwntatires located in Sydnry.,~msdomL. S. Holbrook. Brigadier F. B. Hcritrp. the Chascellor af tk Sydncy University (Sir Wnll~mCullen) and Mi" Cullen, he Vice-Chamcellor (Profclsoo. R. S. Wallse.). Sir Wallacc and Lad BRICI. the Hon. Char Taylor (Speaker of tk Qurmdamd Legislative Asumbly). Sir Francis and L& Wrley. Th Hon. W. Slatcr. M.L.C. (AttoraeyGcncral of Vitorla). The Hon. R. T. Pollard, MLC. (Auintant Minister for Agriculture of Victoria), The Hon. S. R. Whitford. M.L.C.. and Mn. Whitfod. Tk Hon. J. H. Scvllln and MIS. Scullin. tk President of he Legisl&c Council (Sit John Peden) and Miu PA.. and the Speaker of thr Legirlativc Assembly (MI. F. M. Burke) and Mn. BurCe.

The aftemmn following Ihe opning was given over to sporting CYC~I~on land and sea and in the air. while tk rvcning wa devoted lo a Vcaetim Carnival on the Harbour. display., Harbour and City illuminations. and the Nmdlightinp of the Bridge by Au.lralian and New Laland uanhipi.

On Ihe day followiq he official opming. a Unild Church Thnwkgiuing Service wan held on the Sonhem Appmrch IO #he Bridp.

01 Ik Monday. at a civic function on the north ride. the Covcrnor unveiled I tablet. the ICXI of which IS reproduced OD page 3 of cover.

The Chairman of Le Sydney Harbour Bridge Organising Committee was the Premier (The Hoo. 1. T. Lang)). the Deputy-Chairman. the Minister for Public Works (The Hon. M. A. Dwidmn), and the Orsaniring SLcntary rad EXLCY~~YCMember. the Undcr Secretary to the Ptnaier's Depa-~i (Mr. Clilord H. by),

12 MAIN HOADS. MARCH 19x2 A=--

AN OFFICIAL INVITATION TO THE OPENING CELEBRATIONS

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 13 . ',* -

(Sep&& 1931). 2. Edge-pianing in progors in a &I- catlon workshoD (JanuaN 1930). 3. Brldse-workers aath- ered around a gimt hlngebearhg to pow f& a photoipqh. 4. Construction workerr take a breather in one of the work- shops especially rot up during the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (May 1927). 5. Solid drilling web plator to the maln chord angle in one of the fababricatlon shop. (My 1930). 6. Preparing falsework on the approach spans to the Inldge (September 1927). i

14 MAIN ROADS, MARCH- 1982 TH€ M€N WHQ BUILT i35E BRIDG€

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.&

' WIN ROADSMARCH 1982 M I9

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0 srr,<>>,,>,r>If” >.!,drr‘.Ij r I ReDroduced with kind Dermission of the Archives Authoritu of New South Wales. 1; POETRY IN STEEL

The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge inspired While extolling the engineering feats that built the many poets of the day in one way or another. Bridge, Florence Taylor’s final verse shared the honours! Many of the sentiments were as lofty as the Bridge itself. Thus wmte Roderick Quinn, the novelist and “Praise give science poet, in a poem entitled The Harbour’s Crown, As you plod dedicated to the children of Australia: O’er your bridge and “Above the ranging tides, Then praise God.” Arched o’er by radiant skies, Others found that the spanning of the harbour Nobly the Bridge stands forth evoked stirring memories of the First Fleet and the A triumph in all eyes.” visionary dreams of early settlers. The Bridge Open- ing by Nellie A. Evans paid tribute to those pioneers: And later in the same poem . . . ‘And those may see, who keep “High.stationed, massive, bold, Gods Vision yet, Proud-pyloned, firm and wide The gallant ones who fought for this Art in its graceful cuwes great day, It arches o’er the tide Whose feet of old in barren ways were set, Praised be the minds that planned Who saw the gold where dark clouds This wonder through tense hours, formed and met, And praised the tireless hands Where lesser souls had only seen That raised it where it towers!” the grey. All praise to them who toiled the Another writer to celebrate the structural achieve- long years through ment of the Bridge was artist, inventor and journalist That we might see their splendid George A. Taylor, in his poem The Bridge: dream come true.” “I see in it the long past years A giant defying stress and strain, This thought was echoed in Sydney Harbour Bridge Its great arch links each far-stretched ridge: by Minnie Pilson: A triumph of the human brain!” Unfortunately. George Taylor did not live to see the “Around your little lovely bays completion of the “mighty arch; he died as the result I see the folk of other days of an accident in 1928. However his wife. Florence M. The lean dark-men and red camp flame, Taylor, the first Australian woman architect and struc- Ere the white-winged ships and the tural engineer, penned the following lines in 1932, in white-men came. a poem also entitled The Bridge: 1 see them all go sailing by- Phillip, Macquarie, Flinders, Bligh.” “Curving onwards Graceful line Sweeping heavens . . . While in 1 Dips Me Lid (Being Further Musings of Most Divine. ‘The Sentimental Bloke’) by C. J. Dennis, the hero ac- Noble structure, tually encounters the ghost of Captain Phillip, while Stout of frame, viewing the Bridge from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. The Yet reposeful good Captain confides his hopes and fears for Syd- All acclaim.” ney, and then . . .

18 MAIN ROADSMARCH 1YH2 from the sublime to the ridiculous

“Young sir,” ’e sez. “The tears well in my eyes A fat dame in grandstand said, “Oh, you horrid When I behold yon arch that cleaves the skies- brute!” That mighty span, triumphant, where we view Up came the Black Maria and in went Cap. De My old friend Dawn’s vision now made true: Groot .” ‘There the proud arch, Colossus-like, bestride Yon glittering stream and bound the chafing An anonymous author produced a fine parody of the tide!” popular ballad How We Brought the Good News ‘Twas so he dreamed a few short years agone. from Aix to Ghent with the title How We Brought the Spoke truly, sir; they keep on keeping on.” Good News from Eric to Jack. The protagonist is Captain De Groot himself By C.J. Dennis. Commissioned by Lewis Berger and Sons Aust. Ltd. Printed with permission of Berger Paints (Aust.) “I drew out my sword and as onward we sprang, Pty. Ltd. I thought, will I tackle the ribbon, or Lang? And swiftly decided the ribbon more meet: Yet other poets found the opening ceremony to be As the Premier would make so much mess on a greater source of inspiration. And, of course, for the street: those whose verse was in a lighter vein, the De Groot So, waving my sword in a soldierly way, incident was a boon. I severed the silk ‘mid the Crowds’ wild Hooray! Then into the arms of the Hops I did fall. E. T. Allard, a World War 1 veteran, who spent a good But-Lang didn’t open the Bridge after all.”. deal of time in Randwick Militay Hospital, described the scene with relish

“The day the bridge was opened I went to see the show Where forty politicians were sitting in a row. I gazed across the shoulder of a drummer in the band And saw old Jack Lang standing with the scissors in his hand ...... The ribbon stretched across the bridge just waiting to be cut. It wanted just two minutes before the time was UP. Then came the gallant Captain, he galloped to the scene. He raised his sword,with one big slash he cut the ribbon clean. Mackay got vey ferocious; he said, “You bally hound!” And grabbed him by the wishbone and slung him on the ground.

’These lines are lrom D well-known poem by Erasmur Damin. contained in his book Voyage to Botany Bay. I789

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 19 .. ,, .. ~I .., 1.' ., ,; -'c t,' . ',, I -4 s NU-MBER ?H€ MAN WH@ B€AT LANG T@ TH€ TAP€99

While the opening of the Sydney Har- been a rash one. There is no doubt that bour Bridge on 19 March 1932 was spec- I had spoken rather to interest the crowd tacular in evey sense of the word, an at the meeting than to conuey a con- incident occurred which was so contro- sidered decision. I was not happy about versial that it has since become a part of it. nor womed about it. If Lang did open De Groot said: "This contained some national folk4ore. the Bridge. it was only one game in a long wry unflattering caricatures of those of- The incident was brought about by an or- mbber. But the Localities thought differ- ficially inuited and one who was not. ently. and so did the public . . . I could not ganisation called the New Guard which "Mr. Lang, in the centre of the Bridge. go down the street without being stopped was formed in Sydney by Eric Campbell. with legs like a horse-breaker on holiday. a number of times to be asked, 'Who's Their primay concern was the threat of just about to cut the ribbon with his scis- going to open the Bridge?' I thought communism, and they were sworn to So sors, when an ordinary bloke gets in first I had better get busy. After all. I had made combat what they saw as disloyal el- with a clasp knife, slashes the ribbon in ements of government and society. the statement and in all fairness it was my two. much to the horror of the leading job to caw out what I had said. . . Their feeling that the Labor Government citizens. including Police Commissioner under Jack Langwasassociatingwith rev- ..Then along De Groat, and his Childs. well in the foreground." olutionay socialists led them to organise (Extract from Daily Telegraph. Monday, 18 Morch plan had euerythingand was the best of 1957. os told by Francis De Groorl a petition in 1931 which they presented the lot, I do not know when D~ G~~~~ to the Gowrnor' to be fonvarded to the joined the New Guard. My first contact While nunours circulated that the New King. The petition asked that the Lang with him when he was ~~~~l~~~ corn. Government be removed Office. Guard was going to stage a coup on mander of the City Locality. which used opening day, or even kidnap Lang and Shortly thereafter, members of the New to meet in the basement of an old red dump him in the Harbour, De Groot laid Guard were dismayed by the Premier's brick building in Hunter Street. No. 26, I the plans that would cause a world-wide announcement that he would officiate at think it was. The City Locality was com- sensation and place his name in the his- the opening of the Sydney Harbour posed of caretakers. watchmen and lift- toy books. De Groot continued: "In uiew Bridge.Theyfelt that an occasion of such drivers and an excellent lot of fellows of the fact that news had been cabled out importance in the Empire demanded that they were, I liked De Groot from the start from London that there was a threat to the opening be pelformed by the Gover- and recognised his ability He rose to be attack or kidnap the Premier. and that nor or a member of the Royal Family. At B Zone Commander. He had not been 1500police would be around the Bridge a meeting of the New Guard in Chats- more than a few years out from his natiue during the opening. and 500 more would wood Tom Hall, Eric Campbell pledged Ireland and in had risen to guard the officialdais, I thought it would that Lang would not open the Bridge. the rank of Captain in the Xth Hussars. be well to haue a horse. Campbell later said: "I had hoped byfo- By occupation he was a manufacturer 01 "I might find it necessary to jump a bar- cusing public thought on this that Lang period furniture and a recognised auth- rier. and rather thought all those police would gracefully retire in fauour of some- ority on antiques and objets dbrt." one more suitable. But Mr. Lang was not would remoue themselws out of the way (kmct from The RallW Polnt-My story of the of a horse, as later indeed they did. weakling andstuck to his determination New Guard by Eric Campbell. Melbourne Uni. to do the job himself, . . Pre**. 1%5) "The whole idea was one of those brain- "I let the matter ride for a few weeks. waues where the entire picture presents hoping that circumstances would come Francis De Groot had seen a cartoon in itserf to my aid. But nothing turned up. As time Smiths Weekly entitled "The Man Who "Borrow a horse. dress up in uniform. went on it looked as if my statement had Beat Lang to the Tape". sharpen a sword, wait until the ribbon is

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 21 .,4 t - “9

i I stretched taut, charge it at the gallop, cut Isaacs. from Govern to the DcGmotbkdmyLypollco. the ribbon before Lang, and declare the Bridge. So De Groot tell in behind them Bridge open on behalf of the decent and and made his way to a point near the dais respectable citizens of New South Wales, on the Bridge approach, quite unnoticed. hang the expense, and let Lang cut it Campbell added: “But not the Premier of New South again on behalf of the othen he gets Wales, Mr. Lang. He remained couered. if “The area simply bristled with police who any pleasure out of it, keep Campbell’s Taking their cuefrom him the majority of had been to Out for any promise. preuent the New Guard disinte- men in the stands nearest to me not only New Guard Sergeant grating, and, while showing Lang and his kept their hats on but laughed and jeered mob that they cannot push us around. let who was in charge Of this squad, took up at those who did uncouer, his position on foot next to and a few the sharp sword be a hint to the Commu- inches awayfrom & G~~~~,onone oc. ‘This in the presence and within sight of nists that revolution here would not be a cosion Sergeant Meldrum accidentally the King2 representatives and Senior of- one-sided affair.” brushed against D~ ~~~~t*~stirrup, ficers who, because of their official POS- fDe Groot. ibid,J looked up, touching his cap itions. could not euen protest at this On the morning of 19 March 1932, De Sorry Sir?’ conduct. Groot dressed himself in an old Hussar ICnmpbell. ibid.1 “I no longer had any doubts as to the cor- Regiment uniform complete with sword rect thing for me to do. As a citizen who While various numbers of the official and drove himself to Macquarie Street, also happened to be retired officer, addressed the gathering, Francis a 1 near the southern end of the bridge. As could and would make a w y public pro- De Groot waited, undetected. and took in arranged, a horse was waiting there for test and let the world see that Mr. Lang the atmosphere of the scene around him. him hich. by all accounts, was not a and his friends did not represent us.” wondered. for a moment, whether he prime specimen. Campbell was to say of He should go through with his plan. As Mr. Lang prepared to leave the dais the horse: “It was quite a decently bred for the official opening, De Groot located spite of my strong feelings against Mr. looking animal but with its thin neck, “In the ribbon. which was then being Long’s regime, 1 might haue decided to Poddy gut. and goose rump and light stretched across the bridge. and made let him get away. But one thing decided bone it certainly did not qualify for the his way towards it. ‘charger’class-and its scraggy mane and me. “Before leaving the side of the bridge I tail didn’t help either. “A few minutes before when the had taken a short grip of the reins and fCompbell. ibW Governor-General had arriued the R.AA. Band had played the National Anthem, now that I was so ideally placed facing the ribbon, 1 applied both spun, shaking De Groot mounted and rode up Mac- Guards of honor presented arms, officers up my poor old horse in a way he had quarie Street amid the bustle of the irn- in uniform saluted, and those included probably not experienced for years. pending event. By chance, a group of most if not all of the uisiting State gowr- New South Wales Lancers arrived to es- non, Generals and Admirals, Loyal citi- “Then he taught me something I did not cort the Governor.General, Sir Isaac zens bared their heads. previously know.

22 MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 “He had been trained as a racehorse. A lot of his early education had been de- voted to refusals to break tapes. Up on his hind legs, yes, ready to jump off when the tape removed itself, but not until then. “Now when a big horse goes right up on his hind legs he goes a long way up. He carried me well beyond the reach of a number of police, who, by that time, were surrounding me with uplifted hands.” (De Groof ibid.) After a couple of attempts, De Groot slashed the ribbon through with his drawn sword and shouted: “On behalf of the decent and loyal citizens of New South Wales, I declare the bridge open”. The police. led by Superintendent Mackay, sprang up to De Groot and dragged him from the saddle. He was taken to the tollhouse where he re. mained for an hour while the ribbon was replaced and the ceremony concluded. De Groot was then driven to the Recep- tion House at Darlinghurst where he was kept for “observation” over the weekend. He was found sane and discharged by a magistrate on the following Monday, only to be rearrested and charged with ma- liciously damaging a ribbon, offensive be- haviour and threatening language. While De Groot awaited the hearing of his case which had been adjourned to April, the Chief Secretay, MI. Gosling. banned the screening of a film which showed Francis De Groot cutting the famous ribbon. It seems that Mr. Gosling was displeased with public reaction to the the the situation was pretty film. In most instances, De Groot’s pic- Temporary custody was provided at tho toll grim. Our car was there alright-but it was &COr. ture was the signal for an outburst of prked on the other side of the street. cheering. while the cutting of the ribbon and in the roadway between us and the the aid of a number of police we crossed by the Premier met with a “mixed recep- car was a crowd of some hundreds of to the car. On the way. more than once. tion”. men in shiri sleeues who greeted our ar- there was nearly a showdown. but the ridwith a howl of rage. In appearance senior policeman beside me kept saying Legal proceedings against Francis De to me. ‘Don’t say a word. these men are Groot commenced on 1April 1932 at the they looked like worldfinalists in a global really dangerous and will stop at Central Police Court. The case, which ugly man’s competition. In attitude they were unequivocally menacing and in nothing’.’‘ lasted three and a half days. was marked iCompbell. ibid.) by street clashes between the police. speech tauntingly coarse. Clearly we members of the New Guard and a smat- were ’for it’ if we set foot on the roadway. In the end. De Groot was fined the maxi- mum penalty of L5. with f4 costs. by MI. tering of what the daily newspapers re. There were a large number of uniformed Laidlaw. C.S.M.. for offensive behaviour ferred to as “Communists”. police. but they did not seem interested. Three senior policemen then came up on Bradfield Highway. a public place. Campbell said: “At the end of the first and urged me not to attempt to go to the Charges of damaging a ribbon to the ex- day’s proceedings at the Central Police car and suggested that we return to the tent of f2, and of using threatening words Court. in Liverpool Street, when De Court House and they would arrange for to Inspector Stuart Robson, were dis- Groot as already mentioned was being the car to meet us at the back entrance. missed. prosecutedfor injuring governmen t But I said. ‘To Hell with that. The day’s Francis De Groot died in April 1969 in a property (to wit one ribbon. etc.). Mr. not come when a bunch of Communists Dublin nursing home. aged 79. Three Ernest Lamb. K.C. and De Groot and I will stop me lawfully crossing a public years before he died. De Groot made his left the court room together. and went street’. I could see that De Grootb lower last known public statement about the down the longflight of steps to Liuerpool lip was jutting out, a sure sign that he. famous incident of 1932: “I had opened Street to pick up a hire-car that was to be too. was not going to be bullied. Mr. the bridge. and that was all that waiting for us. There was a large crowd Lamb looked on, an elderly. handsome. mattered.” and our progress was hailed with alter- austere figure with a slight quirk of Heprducedrouriesyo/ nate cheers and boos. When we got to amusement on his thin lips. Anyhow. with AurtralionConrolidaredPrerr

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 23 A COLOSSUS OF MESOUTHERN HEMISPHERE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE World’sGmtest Arch “Across Sydney Harbour has been thrown the greatest arch btidge of the SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE age, a commanding structure with stately towers that stand like the Pillars of Hercules bestriding the tide. By J. S. MacDonakl (Director of the patience, for a multitude of problems “The bridge is finished. And by no National Art Galley of N.S.W., 1932) were presented for solving where the matter what standards of comparison we measure it, its place is assured as “One can see the engineers of the miiway, roadway, motonuoy and foot- way gather and take off for their leap one of the greatest of its age through. great pymmid, the Mesopotamian irri- across the harbour. out the world. gation &, the Panama Canal and “It is an outstanding feat of engineer- the S@my Harbour Brldge meeting “Allowance has been made forewry- ing bemuse, though since riwlled in ewry and exchanging ideas. As is usual thing; hole, lump, leuel, kerb, length, it is the heauiest, the widest when experts foregother they would pillar, post, point and pipe has been and the greotest single span omh yet not brag but co&e themlues to im- conceiued and dmwn on paper and constructed by man. The siae and per~0~1“shop” which is the best of turned into material;all materials haw weight of its members and girders are all tak They would dfacuss weights been examined, chosen, tested, unequalled and the smooth progress and measures, stresses, strains, ex- moulded, cast, stamped, welded, of its erection inuolved the solution of pansions and contractions. Just as turned, assembledandplaced to serve problems of engineehg, quite unpre- when artists handle and thrash out and be serwd by the bridge. cedentedelsewhere, without a hitch or mattcrs of art, the talk would be out- “No gmde rises or falls without war- an ermr of any kind. 7he tragic but side the scope of laymen and for their rant. Without any post4mpressionistic almost inevitable loss of life ws the understanding require considemble or selfdetemining notions, tunnels, smallcst euer known in the conshuc- intepretation. Techniil matter muld lewls, ramps, platforms and street tion of a great Brkige. seize their serene mhrdp, for to the in- bridges take their exact places in “Its magn&ence as a commanding iUated the accumte inner working of order to do their proper work, each gateway to the docks, the shipping, the cmft is the bur indication of its achieving uolue in accordance with the and the industrles of the second port corpoml d.We who are outsiders sewice it renders the rest of the com- of the Southern Hemisphere is unsur- cannot hope to get successfilly be. ponents of the great scheme. The passed. Flanked by four gmnik-faced hind their minds but must content OUT- curves on the milwy on the north and pylons of Cyclopean proportions, its selves with gazing at, letting the the sweep of the approaching road- roadway could clear the masts of all wonder grow, using, and re&&g on way on both sides of the bridge are but a few of the world’s lawst liners. the concrete results of their thinking. large and noble, the grades leading to Its arch, soaring 440 feet aboue water. “ln the &hey Harbour Bridge we the great nave of the traced arch easy level, is as aptly propotwaned to the haw the stoutest and swst bridge of and impressive. xale of the Harbour and its hills as ihkind in the world Yet its sturdiness “The rowboat fenymen must have were the finely designed stone arches is deceptiw, and in this way, that resented the coming of the steam of our forefathers to the meadow though when uiednear at hand it ferries whose faithful engines and bordered streams of England, and can impresses by its massiueness. rigidity loyo1 crews (as we now see them) hardly be outbalanced even by the and ita hugeness, its air of indestruc- ousted the formerfrom cross-harbour greatest skyscmpers that may some ability; awayfrom If pwticula+ when water-ways.But except as a sentiment day arise. Its wst, sweeping curws, seen at right angles to its length, it we will forget the latter as a post gen- from wherever one may view it, give a looks slim and delicate. eration did the hand-plied,winddriuen sense of rhythm and harmony, of ”AU this appearance of bcouty has boat strength combined with lighbrss and been pouidcdfor by the engineer, but gmce. In short, it is one of the finest ‘X static giant now takes the place of and most lvpkol products of the Age he has also taken care that utility re- a swam of kinetic pigmies. Gulliver quirements shall be met eye conten- of Steel. substitutes his body for the feverish “holly,the Bridge will stand as a last- lhg pk- matlng with seruice - exertions of many Lillians. form and satisfactory rightness of ing memorial to the co-pemtion of swle. “It is less wasteful, it simplifies, it the industries, the workers, the organ- “The btidge ploper will saturate the should result In energies being made isotlon. and the sckntific skill of Aus. minds of most people, for size and auoilable for application elsewhere. It tralia and England. Planned and singularity usually oust other will serve for many years; it will last for supervised by New South Woks Gow thoughts, but it should no: be forgot. many more. ernment engineers. designed and con ten that it has two ends; the ap- “But apart from all that it will be a smcted by a great English firm, made proaches to the north of one and to great example and incentive to by Australian workers, pa& of Aus the south of thc other. Their planning achiewment. h that its main signifi- tralian steel, it is Imperial both in de. has called for great ingenuity and cance Ilea” sign and in execution.”

24 MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 m HARKWR MAIN RQADS BRW The WDtamd the ~~COU&Dt.or tk air The occxsion of tho Bridge’s opening I seemingly deared Sydney‘s suburbs of all life, according to contempomy reports. More than 300,oOO people are thought to have packed the city to view the procession, or to be “one of ., .. . the ht”to walk acmss the massive Structure. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the spectacle from the air. “The human confetti vanishes. Speed- boats dash before a white wake of swirling foam. Launches moue slowly westwad. Rowing boats follow them, or are overtaken. All are bound west- Wrd “And suddenly one realises that to the west is the focus of all this actiuitpthe bridge, curwd like a bow halfdmwn. Now it is silhouetted against the silver. blue, a colosrus in its mighty sbide.. . To the notth, and to the south, one sees people. and people, and yet - more people. on lawns, on rocks, in -dthCrbl*d.m,-tb THEVENETIANCARNIVAL trees, on mofs. tbt -* tb The evening celebrations centmd on ‘Around Milsons Point station is - Farm Cove, where a colourful spec- another dense unmoving mass of tacle delighted the crowds of people people. And from it one sees, like an &IO lined the Harbour and watched owrflow. spilled down hill, more from evey available window and van. crowds to Kim’billi. where the water- tage point. front is packed like Henley-on- DISPLAY The highlight was the fireworks which Thames. were let off simultaneously from Kirri- “A stream of cars crosses Dorling Har- As Of on to the bridge to inspect it at closer billi and , forming fiey bour Bridge-nearly all bound arches inthe citywards. in the direction of the quarters, nearly 50 aircraft provided greater bridge. One sees the southem an additional, and somewhat surpris- ne many warships stationed around approach of the bridge, the ofiU ing treat. The spectators’ attention the Harbour alternately illuminated stonds, and more people. Are there was firstly given to a faint drone, which their own huge outlines, then blacked any left? became a loud mar as the planes out their forms to cast searchlights came into sight and swept dom over sky “There are. The plane is ouer the city through the At a given signal, the the bridge, passing closely over the bizarre patterns of light ceased and again. Crowds around the Town Hall, arch in perfect formation. crowds in George Street, crowds evey brilliant beam was focused on euetywhere. No wonder the suburbs While many aeroplanes circled over the are deserted, The procession has now the bridge at various altitudes, three There was also an impressive display moved of, and . . . one sees colour planes broke from a formation of by the firefloats of the Sydney Har- more bright than that of the crowds. Seven (representing the Aero Club of bour Trust. The Pluuius. Hdm ad N.S.W.)to perform various aerobatics. “The plane flies lourer the bridge Achilles manned by the Sydney Har- . . . These included dropping smoke bour Trust Fire Brigade and assisted looms greater, a gigantic tmcery of bombs near Fort Denison, looping the grey steel, beneath whose arches now by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, loop. spiralling seawards as if they had pass magnificent floats. . . . were stationed in front of Mrs. Mac- been shot down, and the “Prince of quarie’s Point opposite Garden “The crowds break up. slowly. Motor Wales Feathers“ manoeuvre. Island. Their delicate sprays of water cars move outfrom the W.Like Mack ~t around 3.30 p.m., F~~~ Wapitis fell through the sky in sho~rsof beetles. they fill the main arterial coloured light as the warshiPS hwd streets. branch into smaller thorough. staged a mock attack against Fort Denison, which was assumed to be an their On them. fares, stop here and there and moue again.. . . isolated cable station. The planes Passenger ferries steamed slowly swooped low Over the Fort as if bomb- down the eastern channel and back “The suburbs awaken to life. The ing it, and, within a few minutes, re- around Fort Denison, providing revel. bridge is open.” duced it (theoretically) to smoking lers with an excellent view of the RcpPduccdcourlesg ofJohn Fabfax and Sons ruins. carnival.

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 25 -

sity float bore a miniature of its famous Great Hall while the fi~lhis- 4.- -. torical float represented the Feder- ation of the Australian States. \ Contingents of war veterans ac- companied the Australian Imperial forces float, and a tableau of the ”Future of Australia” preceded a sec- tion of the pageant which was devoted to the development of hansport. A de- tachment of Boy Scouts marched along in front of six primary producers floats, featuring wool, agriculture, dairying, fruit, the wine industry and mining. The British Empire float was followed by the magnificent floral section of the procession. This comprised 11 floats since the days ofihe first settlement7 representing the various districts of AQUATIC DISPLAY . Sydney, all cmred in thousands of AND PAGEANT At the head of the procession native flowers. marched nearly 700 school children, The last unit of the pageant was the As the official ribbon was cut, a Royal 100 workmen who took part in the “Return to Prosperity” float, which no twenty-one gun salute sounded out, building of the bridge and a party of doubt represented the hopes of all signalling the commencement of a 20 aborigines. Numerous pipe bands, those watching. After a short trip spectacular aquatic display. district bands and armed services through North Sydney, the pageant For fifteen minutes, a multitude of bands performed as part Of the returned over the bridge and disper- motorcraft enthralled the crods with pageant. sed in Kent Street. skilful manoeuvres, which left frothy Then began the lavish historical floats, Meanwhile, every bay and stvetch of white patterns aisscrossinq the har- depicting Cook and the “Endeavour”, water from the north to the south of bour. Governor Phillip, the early explorers, the Harbour was full of activib the By this stage a huge pageant, consist- Governor and Mrs. Macquarie and main focal point being the procession ing of dozens of brightly decorated Francis Greenwas all set in aPPmPri- of large commercial and passenger floats was moving past the of. ate sumundings. The Sydney Univer- ships. ficial dais. The enormous tableau told Tha -, vntcbcd bv cyla The pilot steamer Captoin Cook the story of the State’s development t.ton. w-h.. m sydn*r. -~swung in ahead of the 21.000 ton ~ -. .. . - . . liner, R.M.S. Molojo which led the procession. As they rounded and made for the centre of the bridge. others moved out from Dar- ling Harbour and Pyrmont to join them: Orford. Nieuw Zeelond, Monundo, Port Auckland and a dozen other flagbedecked giants. It was an impressive sight, with craft of every kind, from stately yachts to tiny canoes, crowding the water behueen the larger ships, and with speed boats dashing in and out of the procession. Once the liners had been berthed, the Harbour was given OVer to a regatta. Events included displays and races by sail, dinghg skiff, 18-footers. senrice boats, rowers and motor yachts. Hydroplanes were also put on show in special events.

26 MAIN ROADSMARCH 1982 A BEGINNING.. . A TALE OF Two SCISSORS and CO Lid., Contmcton, Opening of On Saturday, 19 March 1932 not one the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 19th When the morning formalities had fin- but huo official openings took place: March. 1932." ished, and the procession had passed the opening of the Sydney Harbour out of sight, the C3426 left Wynyard. The Angus and Coote motif uras also Bridge by the Hon. J. T Lang. M.L.A., engraved on the scissors. Some time the first electric passenger train to Premier of New South Wales, and the take the new railway link from the city later, the scissors were presented to opening of the entry to Sydney's the New South Wales Parliament. to Milsons Point. Northern Suburbs at Milsons Point by Decorated with flowers and bunting, it Alderman H. L. Primrose, Mayor of The other scissors,which the Mayor of mowd sldyacross the bridge to give North Sydney. North Sydney used to open the entry the passengers, who cheered and to Sydney's Northern Suburbs, had Since there were two separate cer- quite a different histoly waved handkerchiefs out of the win- emonies involved. two pairs of scis- dows. an unintempted view of the sors were required. One was In November 1931, the Bayonne harbour. After a brief stop on the borrowed from New York and the Bridge. which joins New York State north side, the train made a tri- other was fashioned in Sydney es- and New Jersey, was opened to traffic. umphant return to Wynyard at high pecially for the occasion. It crosses the Kill van Kull and 5peed. measures just 700 mm more across The scissors which the Premier used Thus began the vital passenger selvice the arch span than our own bridge, to open the bridge began as a humble with a total length of 1762 m. from the city to the northern suburbs. pair of household scissors. Dorman. The same C3426 still runs the North Long and Co., the.builders of the The New York Port Authority lent the Shore line today. bridge, commissioned Angus and scissors that had been used at their ...AND AN END Coote to remodel them for the im- ceremony to the New South Wales portant event. Government for the Sydney Harbour htnight, at precisely 12 o'clock. the Bridge opening, which took place just last Milsons Point feny left Circular They were gold plated and their four months later. Quay Having sewed as one of Syd- handles decorated with a replica of the ney's main traffic arteries for gener- Sydney Harbour Bridge, as wll as When the scissors reached Sydnes ations, the ferry was no longer Flannel Rowers, Waratahs and Gum one of the blades was joined with a needed. Dwarfed by the great steel Leaves, all hand-wrought by Les IocaUy produced blade for the cer- arch, the Kimle made its final voyage Denham. Upon this he mounted six emony at Milsons Point. A corre. uhth a crew of master, engineer, fire- Australian opals. sponding pair of scissors was put together 4th the remaining Bayonne man and two deckhands. The blades of the scissors were en- Bridge blade. This pair was to be sent This description appeared in the Syd- graved by Nom Neal with the follow- back to the New York Port Authodh ney Morning Herald, 21 March 1932 ing inscription: "Presentedto the Hon. thereby forming an historic link with "There was no ceremony-just the J. T. Lang, M.L.A.. Premier and our 'sister bridge' on the opposite side usual last-minute rush, the clanging of Treasurer nf N S W hu Dorman. Lonp gates, the ringing of the bell, in this instance it seemed to haw almost a tolling eflect, and the Kirrule was on her way. Them was the usual jump for the boat after the gangways had &en cleared, and a rousing cheer from those aboard welcomed the last ps- senger - a young lady. "There was the usual dozen disap- pointed tmwllers left behind at the baniers and, as ewr. the ineuitable Saturday night slumberer reclining peacefully on, a seat as the ferry steamed away."

i-

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 27 L

ribbon into tatters for about a metre Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, 19 THESAGA OF of its length. March 1932. In an account to the Daily Telegraph, Two FATALITIES THE RIBBON De Gmt said: Hundreds collapse in CdWatching The cutting of the ribbon at a bridge “Wen I was hustled away, attempts the Bridge opening ceremony is a simple yet sig- were made to knot the ribbon for Mr. nificant event; significant because it “Two deaths occuned in the crowd Lang, but it was made to an exact &ring the bridge celebrations, and represents the culmination of years of length, and after 1 had gashed a yard hundreds of people collapsed. planning and labour. as well as the re- out of the middle, there was not alisation of the hopes of many people. enough left to tie a knot. “The roofs of three sheds near the The official ribboncutting at the open- southem approach to the bridge col- ing of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was “lt had been obtainedfrom a big Syd. lapsed beneath the weight of the no exception. ney store but today was a public hol. numerous sightseers. who had clam- iday and the store was shut. bered on to the fmil structures. and The ribbonatting was made all the “So they telephoned the manager at many people received cuts and ab- more spectacular by Francis De Vaucluse, asked him to come into the rasions. A woman fractured her arm, Groot’s unprecedented act of beating city, open up and supply a couple of and sewral others suffered sprains. the Premier to the draw, in fmnt of yards of similar ribbon. “Frederick Watson. . . was standing thousands of astonished onlookers. “After an hour’s delay, Mr. Long was on a lory that was being driwn slowly able to cut the new port of the ribbon through the crowd along Nixabeth- The official satin ribbon was of a pale with his golden scissors.” street early in the morning. Near King- blue and bore an inscription of the of- street he attempted to alight with his ficial opening. It was stretched across At this point there was a twenty-one companions, but slipped, and fell gun royal salute fired in honour of His the bridge at both the southern and under the rear wheel. The vehicle Majesty, followed by a procession of northern approaches. At the southem passed over his head. He was killed in end. the ribbon was sbvtched across watercraft and a fifteen-minute aerial stantly. display. the bridge near the toll offices. It was “Later in the morning, Alexander hxed at one end to the concrete wall The official party then drwe to Mil- Mdrthur . . . collapsed and died in the by wires drawn through small holes in sons Point Station where the Mayor of street at . the concrete. The buk of the ribbon North Sydney, Alderman Primrose, “lt was estimated that about 3000 was rolled up and held by an attendant sewred the second ribbon (without wople fainted or collapsed during the throughout the formal addresses. mishap), signifying entry to the North- day. The blm’ng sun took a heay, toll When the Premier left the dais, several em Suburbs. If wmen and aged people. So dense men unmlled the ribbon from one A section of the ribbon used at the uos the throng that in many cases side of the bridge to the other, taking otlicial opening of the bridge can be Wople had to be lifted over the heads care that it did not touch the dusty sur- viewed in the Exhibition Hall at the >f the crowd to the ambulance men face of the mad. But before Lang from 10-26 ind women on the outskirts . . . could sever the tape, De Groot gal- March 1982, along with many other &etcher-bearers brought in cases at loped fonuard. and, at the second at- items of Sydney Harbour Bridge he rate, at times, of four a minute.” tempt with his sword, had burst the memorabilia. feproducedcourtesyofJohnFohfrmmdSona. SPECIAL CHURCH SERVlCE vice were the Moderator of the Pres- he mind of man. It was a creative An item in the SydneyMoming Herald byterian Assembly (the Right Rev. R. wonder, a uisible and compelling evi- on 21 March 1932 recorded the J. H. McGowan), Rabbi Cohen, the dence of the morwllous powers of special churrh service. held the pre- President of the Methodist Confer. man, an evidence of man’s master vious das in these terms: erne (the Rev. H. C. Foreman). the over nature.” “A sbong southuresterly wind, cany. President of the Baptist Conference BRIDGE BLESSED ing clouds of dust, caused unpleasant (the Rev. U! Bony), the President of The Roman Catholic Archbishop of conditions at the thanksgiving and the Church of Christ (Or. Veno) and Sydney, Dr. Kells who was unable to dedication service held yesterday Commissioner Maxwell, of the Sal- be present at the celebrations, de- afternoon in an open-air enclosure on wtion Army. cided to pray for the bridge before its the west side of Bradfield Highway. “The Rev. Alexander P. Campbell, of opening. The Primate of Australia, Anhblshop Killara Congregational Church . , . According to the Sydney Morning Wrighs presided, and the service was who deliwred the address, said they Herald of Saturdas 19 March 1932, broadcast by 2FC and was also ampli- . . . were holding the service to honour Dr. Kelly said: “No special senrice was fied. before God the happy consummation arranged, but it was none the less a “lncluded in the gathering were the of a most dificult and perilous enter. real blessing. With three priests I GowrnorGeneml (Sir Isaac Isaacs) prise . . . (he said). The massiveness motored across the bridge and and Lady Isaacs, the State Gowrnor and majesty of it must surely awaken stopped at its centre to give the bles- (Sir Philip Game) and Lady Game, their wonder and awe, which in turn sing. My prayer was for the safety of and the LieutenantGwmor of Vie must drive them back upon God, for the structure and of the people who toria (Sir William Irvine) and Lady before ever the work was begun the will use it” Irvine. Those who took wrt in the ser- whole thing was seen comp6tely in Reprohrcodcwrterv ofJohn Fairfor and Sons

28 MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 50thANNNERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PLATE The Department of Main Roads. on Purchase of the plate will reprosent a behalf of the State Government, is unique opporbmity for chose who uish issuing a limited edition of 10,OOO to remember this important cel- plates to commemorate the 50th ebration. The plates will be available Anniwrsary of the opening of the Syd- at a cost of $30 each (post he)and ney Harbour Bridge. may be obtained by calling at the De. partment's Head Office, 309 Castle- The 260 mm diameter plates have a reagh Street, Sydneg or by forwarding fulkolour centre illustration based on a remittance to: the original invitation and sepa illus- Sydney Harbour Bridge trations around the rim kich depict 50th Anniversay Plate, various stages in the bridge's con. P.0. Box 198, struction. HAYMARKET, N.S.W. 2000

THE SWITCH THAT SAVED THE DAY Once the ribbon had been cut by the Premier, a complex system of wiring and relays was to unfurl a TOW of ban- L ners and transmit a signal for the firing of a battery of guns. Yet the.premature slashing of the rib- .- I- bon by De Groot did not set these &i euents into operation. This was due to the forethought of Ernest Barnes- L Hedley, an engineer with the then N.S.W. Department of Railways. Barnes-Hedleyinstructed the foreman electrician to wire a master double- pole switch, near the ribbon, but in an inconspicuous place. He stood next to the switch. with its current broken. and closed the arcuit onlywhen he saw the Premier actually cutting the ribbon. This small action saved the Govem- ment from a considerable amount of embarrassment. POST OFFICES ON THE BRIDGE To celebrate the occasion on the bridge's opening, the then Depart- ment of Posts and Telegraphs oper- ated special post offices at the bridge dons for a period of two weeks from the opening day. Souvenir hunters, ac- cording to early reports, besieged the offices throughout the afternoon and evenings of 19 March 1932. Queues formed outside the offices as the staff inside dealt with the thou- sands of customers. A total of f600 worth of special stamps was sold. 1400 registered letters sent and 3OOO telegrams despatched. In addition, thousands of unregistered letters were professed.

A tclesram sent from theNorth 6.t- m opna*, wand a letter ncrLdwUh ths sydnqH*B*-

MAIN ROADS. MARCH 1982 29 lS 3h.ID8S.1 ?iEW SOUTH WALES GOV'EIUWENT GAZETTE, No Sa 908

Scnmura 8.d lrlotcr mm and motor qdea with aide O.R attsahsd .... 0 Oath. Bicyeh,triuyahandmotmw?lmwithootlidscus.. .. 0 8 Bulhia and four-wheeled buggies and light out. hand propelled or drawn by one or more homm ...... 0 8 ,, Empty or loaded vane, lomen, drays, wagpm 01 other vehicles, the tare weight of whioh does not exceed 0 tam . . .. 1 0 ,, Empty or loaded vans, lorries, drays, waggom or 0th- mhidea, the tare weight of which esIoBBa 9 tons but doa not exceed 8 tom ...... 9 0" V&dm not oldaniss &ifid ...... 8 0" Where a seaond vehicle is attached to pnj ofthe above mantioned rehiclen, double the lpecified rate# rlll be ch.rssa. Pewriding in or on any vehicle (other than the Waon driving such vehicle)- Add* ...... oa childnm ...... 0 1 Horn and rider ...... 0 8 Horses or cattle (loose stock) per head ...... 0 2 Sheep or pig. per head ...... 0 1 Vehicles, the property of the Board of Fire Commislionem of New South Wales, the Commiasioner of Police, and ambulanoea, will be exempt from payment of toll charp.

COSTS FOR THE BRIDGE Payments to Dorman. Long and Co. Ltd. f4,810.516 Interest on loan during constmction 1,494,988 Bridge and approaches (Public Works Depaltment) 2,321,430 Acquisition of land 1339.028 Other minor works 91208 ~10,057,170

Omc of tbc many msdallloaa Iaarcd to cvmmemmtrthc~~. iA I CHRONOLXlGY OF EVENTS ZSJuly 1923. Turning of the First Sod we performed IO September 1930. The arch trusses were bythe Hon. R 'I: Ball, M.LA., at North Sydney completed. 24 Match 1924. Thc tender of Dorman, Long and Co. March/Aprill931. The deck was completed. Ltd. of Middlesbrough, England was accepted. 16 Januay 1932.The last stone was set in the upper 28 July 1924. The tramway was diwted from AIM parapet of the krt pylon Street along Dind Street to Glen Street and the com- 28 February 1932. The TOM Hall and Wynyiid plete transfer of tmffic from Milsons Point Station to Underground Railway Stations were opened for the new station, invohhg railway and feny change traffic. mr, tramuray deviation, street widening and inciden- 19 March 1932. The bridge \IRIS dedared open for tal works was successfullycompleted (at night). tmffic by the Hon. John 'I: Lang, M.L.A., Pmnier and 5Januay 1925. The excavations for the foundations Colonial Treasurer for New South Wales. His Excel- Of the main bearing and approach span piers were lency, Sir Phillip Woolcott Game, C.B.E., K,C.B., commenced D.S.O., Gmrnor of the State of New South Wales 26 March 1925. Foundation stones of the southern presided at the opening ceremony and named the abutment tower at Dawes Point were set by His Excel- structure the "Sydney Harbour Bridge" and the road- lency, Sir , K.C.B., M.V.O., Governor way linking the city with the northern suburbs the Df New South Wales and the Hon. R. 'I: Ball, M.L.A., "Bradfield Highway". Secretay for Public Woks and Minister for Railways. 9 September 1932. Sydney Harbour Bridge (with ex- September 1926. The erection of the approach spans ception of occupied by rail and tmm tracks)^ steelwork was commenced. handed over- to the Department of Main Roads. 26 October 1928. The western truss at Dawes Point 29 June 1958. Trams replaced by buses and the aras rvds placed in position. previously maintained by the Department of Garom- 26 October 1928. The erection of the main arch was ment Tmnspod was handed over to Department of mmmenced. Main Roads to convert it to mad use. 7 November 1928 The eastern truss at Dawes Point uas placed in position. 2 July 1959. The two additional traffic lanes on the 1928. Hornsby-Milsons Point Raihiwy line was electri- eastern side of the bridge were declared open by the ied. Hon. J. B. Renshaw, M.L.A., Minister for Local Gow !6 November 1929. Erection of record tonnage of ernment and Minister for Highways. 507 tonnes in one day 13 July 1%. Ban on lanechanging abolished (by the 19 August 1930. The arch was dosed, the two half Cabinet Standing Committee on Road Safety). From arches were permanently linked. this day motorists could change hnes at any time. I FACTS AND FIGURES Length of arch span: 503 metres. Longest hanger: 58.8 metres. Height of top of arch: I34 metres abmean SOB Shortest hanger: 7.3 metres. hvel Total weight of steelwork: 52800 tonnes bdueirlg Height to top of aimft beacon: 141 metm above anzh and mild steel approach spans. mean sea level. Weight of arch: 39 OOO tonnes. Wth of deck: 49 metres. Rock excavated for foundations: 122 OOO Clearance for shipping 53 metres. metres. Height of pylons 89 motres abmean sea level. conaete used for bridge: 95ooO aMc rn&es. Base of each abutment tower: 68 metres acms and Granite hang on pylons and pim: 17ood cubic 49 metres long (two pylons rpst on each abufment metlas. tower). Alloluance for deck expansion: 420 millimetres Total kn& of bridge: 1149 metres including ap Agmfor arch expansion: the arch may rise or poach spans. fall 18 cm due to heating ordrrg. /' Bearing pins: each of the four pins measure 4.2 Numbex of panels in arch: %each 18.28 metres long and 368 millimetres in diameter. wide. Thrust on bearings: under maximum load appmxi- ~2ooootonnes on each bearing. Nutaber of rlvets: appmximately 6,OOO,OOO.

MAIN ROADS, MARCH 1982 31 141 L1932