Bridges

Nov 25th, 2010 | | Bridges | 3 Comments

Hammersmith Bridge

Patrick Baty carried out an analysis of the paint on Hammersmith Bridge with Catherine Hassall

Hammersmith Bridge was built in 1887 to the designs of Sir Joseph Bazalgette. It crosses the River Thames in west London and connects Hammersmith with Barnes (to the south).

I worked with Catherine Hassall on the research and paint analysis of the bridge.

Patrick Baty carried out an analysis of the paint on Hammersmith Bridge with Catherine Hassall

Cross section of paint from the Bridge


An aid to the dating of the paint layers was provided by the post-bombing repairs carried out in 1939:
(click on large text below to see short film clip)



HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE BOMBED


As the proposed new paint was incompatible with the earlier coatings it was necessary to record the decorative history of the bridge before it was stripped.

At first we were puzzled by newspaper accounts of the bridge having been “pink” when it was opened by Prince Albert Victor in June 1887. However, I was able to show that three coats of bronze green and gilded elements were applied in the following year. The bridge had been opened in its underclothes.

Hammersmith Bridge - Patrick Baty sampling paint

Patrick climbs to the top of Hammersmith Bridge to sample paint


Patrick Baty was a miltary parachutist in a previous existence
A previous career as a miltary parachutist stands Patrick in good stead as a paint analyst



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Comments (3)

Reply
Birthday Greetings: A Bridge Most Fair « London Historians' Blog » 18. Jun, 2011

[...] Links: Engineering Timelines Our friend, Patrick Baty [...]

Reply
Gus.No Gravatar » 27. Jan, 2013

That paint section is incredible MrB !
You have an enviable occupation.

Reply
PatrickNo Gravatar » 27. Jan, 2013

Thank you. That’s nothing, you must see this http://patrickbaty.co.uk/?p=147