City Sailingvideo
Isle of Dogs Blue Bridge
October 21, 2021 · 9 min · 1K views · West India South Dock, Isle of Dogs, London
What this video covers
The Blue Bridge, which spans the entrance to West India Dock in London, opened on June 1, 1969, as the fifth bridge to cross the site since 1806.0:11 The structure utilizes a vertical-lift design with a large counterbalance to provide clearance for vessels with masts.2:16 Local residents refer to traffic delays caused by the bridge lifting for maritime traffic as a "bridger."1:55 The current bridge replaced a 1929 double-rolling bascule bridge, known locally as the "noisy bridge" for its mechanical groaning.1:40 The site previously hosted a timber bridge in 1806 and two subsequent iron swing bridges, with remnants of the original entrance road still visible near the Dockland Scout project.1:04 Recently, the wooden square-rigged sail training ship Tenacious, operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, navigated the lock into West India Dock.2:38 The vessel approached against the tide, turned in the Thames, and entered the lock during slack water while the bridge remained in the vertical position.5:05
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