# Ross Bridge

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This article is about the bridge in Tasmania, Australia. For other uses, see [Ross Bridge (disambiguation)](/source/Ross_Bridge_(disambiguation)).

Bridge in Tasmania, Australia

Ross Bridge Ross Bridge with the Uniting Church in the background Coordinates 42°01′51″S 147°29′23″E / 42.030727°S 147.489653°E / -42.030727; 147.489653 Carries Motor vehicles Crosses Macquarie River Locale Ross, Tasmania, Australia Characteristics Design Deck arch bridge Material Sandstone No. of spans 3 History Designer John Lee Archer Construction start 1830 Construction end 1836 Statistics Tasmanian Heritage Register Place ID 7,209[1] Status Permanently Registered Location Interactive map of Ross Bridge

**Ross Bridge** is an historic bridge in the town of [Ross](/source/Ross%2C_Tasmania) in central [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), [Australia](/source/Australia), completed in July 1836. It crosses the [Macquarie River](/source/Macquarie_River%2C_Tasmania).

The [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) bridge was constructed by convict labour, and is the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia. Commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor [George Arthur](/source/Sir_George_Arthur%2C_1st_Baronet), the bridge was designed by architect [John Lee Archer](/source/John_Lee_Archer), with the convict work team including two [stonemasons](/source/Stonemason), [James Colbeck](/source/James_Colbeck) and [Daniel Herbert](/source/Daniel_Herbert_(convict)), the latter being credited with the intricate carvings along both sides of the bridge.[2][3]

The bridge was registered on the now-defunct [Register of the National Estate](/source/Register_of_the_National_Estate) in 1978. Ross Bridge is listed on the [Tasmanian Heritage Register](/source/Tasmanian_Heritage_Register) and receives protection under the Tasmanian *Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995*.[4] Ross Bridge is also a nominated place on the National Heritage List.[5]

The bridge is listed as a National Engineering Landmark by [Engineers Australia](/source/Engineers_Australia) as part of its [Engineering Heritage Recognition Program](/source/Engineers_Australia#Engineering_Heritage_Recognition_Program).[6]

## History

Ross Bridge replaced a deteriorating predecessor described by [Edward Curr](/source/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](/source/John_Rennie_the_Younger), a well known engineer who worked on the [Waterloo](/source/Waterloo_Bridge) and [Southwark](/source/Southwark_Bridge) bridges in [London](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Architect). However, Atkinson faced challenges, and Captain William Turner took over in 1835, accelerating the bridge's completion. The completed bridge features three [segmental arches](/source/Segmental_arch) rising from bold supporting [piers](/source/Pier_(architecture)) with [splayed tops](/source/Talus_(fortification)), resembling [cutwaters](/source/Cutwater). 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 [voussoirs](/source/Voussoir) and [keystones](/source/Keystone_(architecture)).

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[7] 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.[8] 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.

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 [Tasmania's Maritime Museum](/source/Maritime_Museum_of_Tasmania). 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.[9]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Permanent and Provisional Registrations as at 22 Jan 2021"](https://heritage.tas.gov.au/Documents/THROnline_Jan2021.pdf) (PDF). Tasmanian Heritage Register. p. 122. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["AustralianGetaway.com"](http://www.australiangetaway.com/australia/travel/ross-bridge-map-r.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Age_3-0)** ["Travel: Ross"](http://www.theage.com.au/news/Tasmania/Ross/2005/02/17/1108500205933.html). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Search the Tasmanian Heritage Register | Heritage Tasmania"](https://heritage.tas.gov.au/heritage-listed-places/search-the-register). *heritage.tas.gov.au*. Retrieved 18 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Australian Heritage Database"](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). *environment.gov.au*. Retrieved 18 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Ross Bridge, Macquarie River, 1836-"](https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/ross-bridge-macquarie-river-1836). Engineers Australia. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Thomas Herbert"](https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/herbert/thomas). *Convict Records (Australia)*. Retrieved 2 February 2024. Several Thomas Herberts were transported to Van Diemen's land.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jackson, Jennie. ["The Carvings"](https://www.rossbridge.com.au/gallery). *The Enigma of the Ross Bridge*. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Burke, Kelly (2 February 2024). ["Tasmania hails Australia's first colonial statue as a piss-take – and an 'extraordinary political statement'"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/feb/02/george-arthur-tasmania-maritime-museum-colonial-statue-satire-protest-art-). *The Guardian*.

## Further reading

- Smith, Roy (1969). *Early Tasmanian bridges*. Launceston: Foot and Playstead.

- Newitt, Lyn, (1988) *Convicts & carriageways : Tasmanian road development until 1880* edited by Alan Jones. Hobart: Dept. of Main Roads, Tasmania, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7246-2352-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7246-2352-3)

- Greener, Leslie; Laird, Norman (1971). *Ross Bridge and the Sculpture of Daniel Herbert*. Hobart: Fullers Bookshop.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ross Bridge](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ross_Bridge).

- [Tasmanian Times stories focusing on the likenesses of Jorgen Jorgenson](http://www.tasmaniantimes.com/index.php/article/kim-peart)

- [Sydney Morning Herald Travel article about Ross](http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/ross-20081113-5zgy.html)

- [Tasmanian visitors' guide tourism article about Ross](http://www.tasmaniavisitorsguide.com.au/ross.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110822085834/http://www.tasmaniavisitorsguide.com.au/ross.php) 22 August 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [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=13164)

- [Ross Bridge National Heritage List (Nominated place 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)

v t e Road infrastructure in Tasmania Main highways and roads Highway 1 Bass Highway Brooker Highway Midland Highway Bass Highway Tasman Highway Esk Highway Lake Highway Davey Street Huon Highway Macquarie Street Southern Outlet West Tamar Highway East Tamar Highway Arthur Highway Lyell Highway Murchison Highway Zeehan Highway Minor highways and roads Marlborough Highway Lyell Highway Anthony Road East Derwent Highway South Arm Highway Goodwood Road Domain Highway Gordon River Road Channel Highway Sandy Bay Road Batman Highway Bridges Batman Bridge Blair Street Bridge Bowen Bridge Bridgewater Bridge Jordan River Bridge McGees Bridge Red Bridge Richmond Bridge Ross Bridge Sorell Causeway Tasman Bridge Victoria Bridge, Devonport Victoria Bridge, Launceston Department of State Growth Highways in Tasmania Road routes in Tasmania

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ross Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Bridge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Bridge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.