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Fallen Railway Arches in Copenhagen-Fields, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Fallen Railway Arches in Copenhagen-Fields, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Fallen Railway Arches in Copenhagen-Fields, [London], 1850. Extension of the Birmingham Railway to Blackwall. Last week, one of the most important works on this line, at the point where it crosses the Great Northern Railway, in Copenhagen-fields, fell, and was reduced to the ruinous appearance shown in the Illustration. The viaduct was nearly 40 feet high; and the centre, or, as it may now be termed, the standing arch, is 60 feet span. From the unforeseen difficulties which the peculiar character of London clay presents to works of this nature, the bridge in question never seems to have acquired a firm position, but was observed to have always had a disposition to "twist". Happily, it has fallen without any accident to those engaged about it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36197536
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Accident Building Site Civil Engineering Clay Construction Site Copenhagen Fields Engineering Foundation Foundations Incident Industrial Accident Islington London England Navvies Navvy Railway Line Railway Track Railway Tracks Railways Train Track Tunnel Viaduct Working Man Workman Workmen Blackwall Tunnel
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Fallen Railway Arches in Copenhagen-Fields, 1850: An Unforeseen Disaster in London's Engineering History This evocative image captures the aftermath of a significant incident in the annals of British civil engineering. The fallen railway arches in Copenhagen-Fields, London, as depicted in this 1850 print from the Illustrated London News, mark the collapse of a vital section of the Birmingham Railway extension to Blackwall. The viaduct, which crossed the Great Northern Railway, was nearly 40 feet high, with a central arch boasting a 60-foot span. The London clay, with its unique characteristics, posed unforeseen challenges to the construction of this bridge. Despite these difficulties, the bridge had always exhibited a tendency to twist, and unfortunately, it succumbed without warning, leaving a ruinous scene in its wake. Fortunately, the collapse occurred without any harm to the workers on site. The incident was a stark reminder of the inherent risks and challenges faced by the navvies, or laborers, during the Victorian era as they toiled to expand the railway network and improve transportation infrastructure. The Illustrated London News, a leading newspaper of the time, reported on the incident, providing a glimpse into the daily life and workings of the construction sites that shaped the industrial landscape of 19th-century Britain. This poignant image serves as a testament to the perseverance and determination of the workforce, who continued to push the boundaries of engineering and construction despite the challenges they faced.
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