VICTORIA (CHELSEA)

ICTORIA or Chelsea Bridge is a suspension bridge designed by Mr. Page, the architect of Westminster Bridge. The estimated cost of the Victoria was 88,000 pounds. As seen from the river, one may say that it appears like a fairy structure, with its beautiful towers gilded and painted to resemble light coloured bronze, and crowned with large globular lamps. The bridge, built in 1858, which so adds to the reputation of Mr. Page, is constructed of iron resting upon piers of wood and concrete enclosed within iron castings. The towers or piers are each 88 feet in height by 19 feet wide, having curved cutwater bases. The roadway, suspended by rods from the chains, is formed by two wrought-iron longitudinal girders six feet in depth, extending 915 feet, the total length of the bridge.

The Victoria Bridge is the only direct approach from Belgravia to Battersea Park, crossing the Thames at the vastly improving borough of Chelsea, so called, says Norden in his Etymology, "from the nature of the place, whose strand is like a chesil (ceosel) which the sea casteth up of sand and pebble stones, therefore called Cheselsey, or Chelsey, as is Chelsey (Selsey) in Sussex, also at Portland in Dorsetshire, where the ceaseless working of the sea has piled up that marvellous natural breakwater called Chesil Beach." Sir Thomas More, who resided at Chelsea, writing to King Henry VIII., dates his letter "at my pore house at Chelcith." In Doomsday Book it is named "Chelched." Nordan's etymology is best supported by fact. The manor is said to have originally formed part of the possessions of the Abbey of Westminster. From the time of Henry VII. it has descended from family to family till it came into that of Charles, Viscount Cheyne (d. 1698) and of Sir Hans Sloane (d. 1752), who bought it in 1712 of William, Lord Cheyne. By subsequent bequest it passed to Charles, Lord Cadogan. The manor-house was near the Pier Hotel at the foot of the Albert Bridge, the next bridge higher up the river.

Source:

Herring JH. Thames Bridges from London to Hampton Court, with Topographical Descriptions from Best Known Authorities, H.R. Pinder, London, 1874.

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