River Mersey Gallery

Widnes and Runcorn Transporter Bridge AA98_05132

The Widnes and Runcorn Transporter Bridge, Widnes, Halton, Cheshire. The transporter bridge was an unusual solution to moving vehicles across a busy shipping lane, in this case the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal. A travelling platform hung from overhead gantries allowed ships to pass underneath. Built in 1905 on the suspension principle with a span of 1,000 feet it was the largest bridge of this type ever. It was demolished after 1961 when a new high level road bridge was built. Photographed in the early 1950s by Eric de Mare

Three Graces EPW003065

A number of vessels plying their trade on the River Mersey. George's Stage and the Three Graces, Liverpool. The "Three Graces" shown here in 1920, are the Royal Liver Building (completed in 1911 with two clock towers crowned by mythical Liver Birds), the Cunard Building (completed in 1916) and the Port of Liverpool Building (completed in 1907). The landing stage at Pier Head served the transatlantic liner service. Aerofilms Collection

© Historic England Archive

Interior of the Mersey Tunnel, Liverpool

King George V opened the Mersey Tunnel called Queensway on 18 July 1934, arranging to drive in the tunnel. Exclusively for vehicles, connecting Liverpool with Birkenhead under the River Mersey. At the time of its construction it was the longest underwater tunnel in the world a title it held for 24 years, and costed a total of 8 million. Photographs here showing (above) the junction with Birkenhead docks branch, (below) a curve that takes four lines of traffic abreast.
18 July 1934

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans