Hull South Bridge Company 1886
South Bridge is somewhat of an enigma. It crossed the river roughly where the tidal barrier is, as can be traced through Victoria Dock’s South Bridge Road to link the east with the pier and ferries and markets of the west.
It was built for the passage of pedestrians, horse or beast drawing any coach, Barouche, Sociable, Berlin, Chariot, Landau, Chaise, Caleche, Chair, Phaeton, Caravan, Hearse, Litter, Waggon, Wain, Cart or such other like Carriage. Other notable bridge customers at the time were droves of oxen or other neat cattle, calves, swine, hogs, sheep or lambs, charged by the score.
It was open for business “during the hours of half-past five of the clock in the morning and nine of the clock in the evening of each day, and between the hours of nine of the clock in the evening and half-past five of the clock in the morning”.
The details above are taken from an original poster published on June 10th 1886, and photographed below. It’s crumbling away at every touch, so it’s in need of professional help.
South Bridge and environs 1892, reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland
Hull Central Dry Dock with South Bridge to the right, circa 1900
Vittoria Hotel with South Bridge to the right
Hull Central Dry Dock circa 1900
We love the mysterious looking figure in the bottom right of the Hull Central Dry Dock photo above, heading under South Bridge and into the Old Harbour.
These aerial photographs are are reproduced under licence from Britain from Above. The photograph on the left shows South Bridge and the River Hull and timber yards at Garrison Side, in 1931. The photograph on the right shows South Bridge and Garrison Side and the city, also 1931.
South Bridge and environs 1910, reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland
Bernard Sharp: Victoria Dock, Kingston upon Hull, Sunday, 1 August, 1982. South Bridge Road crossing the lock between the Basin and the Dock, the latter having been filled-in. Looking west to the Tidal Surge Barrier, in the far background, centre.
Like Stoneferry and Scott Street, South Bridge replaced an earlier ferry:
Hull Old Ferry, High Street to Garrison
Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard
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