BRIEF HISTORY DURING THE SNOW ERA (1813-58)

Before the late 1700s, a ferry regularly transported passengers between Chelsea and Battersea on the north and south sides of the River Thames, respectively.  Then in 1771-2 the wooden Battersea Bridge was built with 19 spans of varying width between piers of massive beams, following the design of Henry Holland.  The arches of the new bridge were difficult for boats to navigate.  During the ensuing hundred years, vessels would often wreck when they collided with the many wooden piers (see images below). 

The wooden bridge had major repairs in 1873.  Thereafter it was demolished in late 1885, to be replaced with 1886-90 with the present bridge, designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette (1819-91), featuring five cast-iron arches. 

Sources: 

Gomme L, Norman P (eds). Survey of London, London County Council, Vol. 4, 1913. 

Weinreb B, Hibbert C (eds). The London Encyclopaedia, 1993.