{{about|the bridge in Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = Ross Bridge |native_name = |native_name_lang = en |image = Ross Bridge.jpg |image_size = 250 px |alt = |caption = Ross Bridge with the [[Uniting Church]] in the background |official_name = |other_name = |carries = [[Motor vehicle]]s |crosses = [[Macquarie River, Tasmania|Macquarie River]] |locale = [[Ross, Tasmania|Ross]], [[Tasmania]], Australia |maint = |designer = [[John Lee Archer]] |design = [[Deck arch bridge]] |material = [[Sandstone]] |length = |width = |height = |mainspan = |spans = 3 |pierswater = |load = |clearance = |below = |life = |builder = |begin = 1830 |complete = 1836 |open = |toll = |traffic = |preceded = |followed = |heritage = |collapsed = |closed = | replaces = |map_cue = |map_image = |map_alt = |map_text = |map_width = |coordinates = {{coord|-42.030727|147.489653|type:landmark_region:AU-TAS|display=title,inline|format=dms}} |lat = |long = |extra = | embedded = {{designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Tasmanian Heritage Register | designation1_free1name = Place ID | designation1_free1value = 7,209<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://heritage.tas.gov.au/Documents/THROnline_Jan2021.pdf |title=Permanent and Provisional Registrations as at 22 Jan 2021 |page = 122 |access-date=2022-08-22 |publisher=Tasmanian Heritage Register}}</ref> | designation1_free2name = Status | designation1_free2value = Permanently Registered}} }}
'''Ross Bridge''' is an historic bridge in the town of [[Ross, Tasmania|Ross]] in central [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]], completed in July 1836. It crosses the [[Macquarie River, Tasmania|Macquarie River]].
The [[sandstone]] bridge was constructed by convict labour, and is the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia. Commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor [[Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet|George Arthur]], the bridge was designed by architect [[John Lee Archer]], with the convict work team including two [[stonemason]]s, [[James Colbeck]] and [[Daniel Herbert (convict)|Daniel Herbert]], the latter being credited with the intricate carvings along both sides of the bridge.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.australiangetaway.com/australia/travel/ross-bridge-map-r.html| title = AustralianGetaway.com}}</ref><ref name=Age>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Tasmania/Ross/2005/02/17/1108500205933.html |title=Travel: Ross|work=[[The Age]]|date=8 February 2004|accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref>
The bridge was registered on the now-defunct [[Register of the National Estate]] in 1978. Ross Bridge is listed on the [[Tasmanian Heritage Register]] and receives protection under the Tasmanian ''Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Search the Tasmanian Heritage Register {{!}} Heritage Tasmania|url=https://heritage.tas.gov.au/heritage-listed-places/search-the-register|access-date=2021-02-18|website=heritage.tas.gov.au}}</ref> Ross Bridge is also a nominated place on the National Heritage List.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australian Heritage Database|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;search=place_name=Ross%2520Bridge;keyword_PD=on;keyword_SS=on;keyword_PH=on;latitude_1dir=S;longitude_1dir=E;longitude_2dir=E;latitude_2dir=S;in_region=part;place_id=106294|access-date=2021-02-18|website=environment.gov.au}}</ref>
The bridge is listed as a National Engineering Landmark by [[Engineers Australia]] as part of its [[Engineers Australia#Engineering Heritage Recognition Program|Engineering Heritage Recognition Program]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/ross-bridge-macquarie-river-1836 | title = Ross Bridge, Macquarie River, 1836- | publisher = Engineers Australia | access-date = 2020-05-07 }}</ref>
==History== Ross Bridge replaced a deteriorating predecessor described by [[Edward Curr]] in 1823. The original bridge, consisting of fourteen arches, drystone piers and logs covered with road metal, collapsed in 1831. John Lee Archer proposed a new design with detailed specifications, drawing from his experience working under [[John Rennie the Younger|John Rennie]], a well known engineer who worked on the [[Waterloo Bridge|Waterloo]] and [[Southwark Bridge|Southwark]] bridges in [[London]]. A gang of convicts stationed at Ross, tasked with bridge maintenance, faced challenges in material pilfering and a shortage of skilled labor. A disagreement arose between the Inspector of Roads and Archer surrounding the new stone [[arch bridge]]'s location, eventually resolved in June 1832.
In April 1833, Lee Archer finalised the bridge design by reducing the number of arches from five to three, optimizing the location for a rock foundation, crucial for durability against the fast-flowing and flooding Macquarie River. The project was originally led by Superintendent Charles Atkinson, an English [[architect]]. However, Atkinson faced challenges, and Captain William Turner took over in 1835, accelerating the bridge's completion. The completed bridge features three [[Segmental arch|segmental arches]] rising from bold supporting [[Pier (architecture)|piers]] with [[Talus (fortification)|splayed tops]], resembling [[cutwater]]s. The piers, adorned with weathered and molded copings, extend through the walls and parapets, creating horizontal lines with a molded string course and plain capping. Convict masons James Colbeck and Daniel Herbert played crucial roles, with Herbert credited for the intricate carvings on [[voussoir]]s and [[Keystone (architecture)|keystone]]s.
The arches exhibit high-relief carvings on all six faces, showcasing foliage motifs alongside animal and human heads, some adorned with hats, helmets, or crowns. Tudor roses and emblems in plaited cords add to the decorative elements. The carvings satirise people in authority, and have sexual references. Jennie Jackson, a great great-grandchild of Thomas Herbert, a convict<ref>{{cite web | title=Thomas Herbert| website=Convict Records (Australia)| url=https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/herbert/thomas | access-date=2 February 2024}} Several Thomas Herberts were transported to Van Diemen's land.</ref> who was a quarryman in the Ross Bridge road party, developed a Web site about the bridge, including many very detailed photographs of the carvings taken mostly by Brad Harris in 2020, with explanations.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Carvings|first=Jennie|last=Jackson| website=The Enigma of the Ross Bridge | url=https://www.rossbridge.com.au/gallery | access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> The parapets incorporate recesses for pedestrians to seek shelter from passing vehicles, and wing walls with graceful curves form the side walls of steps leading from the river edges to the road level. Upon completion in July 1836, the bridge was inaugurated by Lieutenant-Governor Arthur in a grand ceremony. The old bridge's centre was blown up, marking the end of an era. The new bridge, enduring floods and increased traffic, remains in use. A comprehensive restoration in 1975-76, conducted by the Department of Main Roads, ensured the bridge's preservation. Additionally, in September 1992, a terrestrial photogrammetric survey, employing a Wild stereometric camera, produced an accurate elevation drawing of the bridge, adding to its historical documentation. A reserved area above the bridge allows travelers to appreciate its splendor, and the memorial stones on the parapets commemorate Lieutenant-Governor Arthur and Captain Turner. There are no memorials for convicts John Lee Archer, James Colbeck, Daniel Herbert, and Charles Atkinson.
[[File:Ross Bridge.jpg|600px|thumb|Ross Bridge in 2009]]
==Satirical statue by Herbert==
A 1.3 m sandstone statue from about 1836 satirising governor George Arthur, believed to have been carved by Daniel Herbert due to the style matching that of the bridge carvings, was donated in 2023 to [[Maritime Museum of Tasmania|Tasmania's Maritime Museum]]. Arthur is standing, holding his penis, as a statue with plumbing arrangements thought to be part of a fountain which would have had Arthur urinating over the people of the colony.<ref>{{cite news| last=Burke | first=Kelly | title=Tasmania hails Australia's first colonial statue as a piss-take – and an 'extraordinary political statement'|newspaper=The Guardian | date=2 February 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/feb/02/george-arthur-tasmania-maritime-museum-colonial-statue-satire-protest-art-}}</ref> ==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading == * {{cite book |first=Roy|last=Smith |title=Early Tasmanian bridges|publisher=Foot and Playstead|location=Launceston |publication-date=1969 }} * Newitt, Lyn, (1988) ''Convicts & carriageways : Tasmanian road development until 1880'' edited by Alan Jones. Hobart: Dept. of Main Roads, Tasmania, {{ISBN|0-7246-2352-3}} * {{cite book |first1=Leslie|last1=Greener |first2=Norman|last2=Laird |title=Ross Bridge and the Sculpture of Daniel Herbert|publisher=Fullers Bookshop|location=Hobart |publication-date=1971 }}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.tasmaniantimes.com/index.php/article/kim-peart Tasmanian Times stories focusing on the likenesses of Jorgen Jorgenson] * [http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/ross-20081113-5zgy.html Sydney Morning Herald Travel article about Ross] * [http://www.tasmaniavisitorsguide.com.au/ross.php Tasmanian visitors' guide tourism article about Ross] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822085834/http://www.tasmaniavisitorsguide.com.au/ross.php |date=22 August 2011 }} * [http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;search=place_name%3Dross%2520bridge%3Bkeyword_PD%3Don%3Bkeyword_SS%3Don%3Bkeyword_PH%3Don%3Blatitude_1dir%3DS%3Blongitude_1dir%3DE%3Blongitude_2dir%3DE%3Blatitude_2dir%3DS%3Bin_region%3Dpart;place_id=13164 Ross Bridge Register of National Estate Listing] *[http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;search=place_name%3DRoss%2520Bridge%3Bkeyword_PD%3Don%3Bkeyword_SS%3Don%3Bkeyword_PH%3Don%3Blatitude_1dir%3DS%3Blongitude_1dir%3DE%3Blongitude_2dir%3DE%3Blatitude_2dir%3DS%3Bin_region%3Dpart;place_id=106294 Ross Bridge National Heritage List (Nominated place listing)] {{Road infrastructure in Tasmania}}
[[Category:Road bridges in Tasmania|Ross]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1836]] [[Category:Convictism in Tasmania]] [[Category:Deck arch bridges]] [[Category:Sandstone bridges in Australia]] [[Category:Tasmanian places listed on the defunct Register of the National Estate]] [[Category:Tasmanian Heritage Register]] [[Category:1836 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Stone arch bridges in Australia]] [[Category:Recipients of Engineers Australia engineering heritage markers]]