After the medieval Tyne bridge was destroyed by the 1771 flood, there were ten years of ferries and temporary bridges before a new 9 arched stone bridge designed by Robert Mylne was opened in 1781. However, a report of 1860 stated that it was obstructing masted vessels and should be removed and replaced with a low level bridge which could be opened. It was demolished and work began on a replacement Swing Bridge in 1868. This is one of the earliest photographs in the Gateshead Archive. It shows the bridge in c1865 before a temporary bridge was erected (1865-1866) to allow demolition to begin.

                    
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                                      Gateshead Local Studies
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