Sydney Harbour Bridge Photos 1929

From Engineering Heritage Australia


The 131 photos on this page are likely to be close to a definitive set of official photographs of the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction in 1928. They are notionally ascribed to the NSW Public Works Department (PWD) and the photographer is, in general, Robert Arthur (Bob) Bowden. Bowden was employed until 1930 within PWD as a ’Photographer’. There are many other photographs of other PWD and NSW Railways projects, notably the City underground railway and the northern road and rail approaches to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which would seem to be in the same style and format as these photos of the bridge, and it is a bold claim to ascribe them simply to Bowden. He may have been the manager and co-ordinator of a larger team of photographers. Further research is required.

Photos on this page are derived from NSW State Records NRS 12685, available online. State Records would seem to hold 14 albums which include the photographs from Albums 1,2 and 3 held by the University of Sydney. State Records presentation of the 1,745 photos in their collection is not by volume or date and is thus most difficult to search. Since there are usually two photos to a page, often of disparate subjects, and State Records catalogue only lists one caption searching is even more difficult. This presentation of photos from 1928 is derived from a downloading of all 1745 photos and a subsequent resorting. Getting back to the original State Records listing is virtually impossible.

Robert Arthur Bowden had been born on 28 October 1886 and joined NSW Public Works Department on 16 April 1902 as a messenger in which designation he remained until 12 January 1912 when he became “Assistant to Photographer”. The photographer to whom he was assistant was probably John Degotardi Junior. Degotardi’s most noted work was the photographic documentation of the plague in Sydney in the early 1900s with all its resumptions and demolitions. He is generally given the suffix “Junior” to distinguish him from his father of the same name who was a noted photographer a generation earlier. Certainly, Bowden’s promotion to “Photographer” came on 26 July 1919, consistent with Degotardi’s known retirement date.

Bob Bowden resigned from PWD formally on 29 June 1930 at a relatively young age. With accumulated leave etc his practical cessation of work is noted on his record card as 31 August 1929. The photographer after this date is unknown.

  • 482 Southern approach from harbour first section of lower chord of east truss erected. 21-1-1929

    482 Southern approach from harbour first section of lower chord of east truss erected. 21-1-1929

  • 483 Creeper crane from span No 5. 21-1-1929

    483 Creeper crane from span No 5. 21-1-1929

  • 484 Top western end post during temporary cable connection. 21-1-1929

    484 Top western end post during temporary cable connection. 21-1-1929

  • 485 Anchorage link. 21-1-1929

    485 Anchorage link. 21-1-1929

  • 486 Shop erection of members at joint 27. 21-1-1929

    486 Shop erection of members at joint 27. 21-1-1929

  • 487 Temporary anchorage cables and ramp structure from top of east post. 21-1-1929

    487 Temporary anchorage cables and ramp structure from top of east post. 21-1-1929

  • 488 Pylon cable saddle. 21-1-1929

    488 Pylon cable saddle. 21-1-1929

  • 489 Temporary anchorage cables tensioned. 21-1-1929

    489 Temporary anchorage cables tensioned. 21-1-1929

  • 490 View from pylon steelwork. 21-1-1929

    490 View from pylon steelwork. 21-1-1929

  • 491 Temporary anchorage cable connection. 21-1-1929

    491 Temporary anchorage cable connection. 21-1-1929

  • 492 Portal bracing between end posts. 21-1-1929

    492 Portal bracing between end posts. 21-1-1929

  • 493 View from harbour first panel complete. 20-2-1929

    493 View from harbour first panel complete. 20-2-1929

  • 494 After the ceremony of unveiling The Cenotaph. 22-2-1929

    494 After the ceremony of unveiling The Cenotaph. 22-2-1929

  • 495 Unveiling The Cenotaph the Reveille. 22-2-1929

    495 Unveiling The Cenotaph the Reveille. 22-2-1929

  • 496 Unveiling The Cenotaph the Last Post. 22-2-1929

    496 Unveiling The Cenotaph the Last Post. 22-2-1929

  • 497 The Cenotaph prior to unveiling. 22-2-1929

    497 The Cenotaph prior to unveiling. 22-2-1929

  • 498 The Cenotaph prior to unveiling. 22-2-1929

    498 The Cenotaph prior to unveiling. 22-2-1929

  • 499 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

    499 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

  • 500 Bridge stairs corner of Burton and Broughton Streets North Sydney. 6-3-1929

    500 Bridge stairs corner of Burton and Broughton Streets North Sydney. 6-3-1929

  • 501 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

    501 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

  • 502 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

    502 Pouring arch rib of 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

  • 503 Pouring arc rib of 120ft arch approximately 500 cubic yards of concrete were poured in one day. 6-3-1929

    503 Pouring arc rib of 120ft arch approximately 500 cubic yards of concrete were poured in one day. 6-3-1929

  • 504 Falsework for 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

    504 Falsework for 120ft arch. 6-3-1929

  • 505 38in cold saw inserted tooth blades for cutting up to 24in x 7½in RSJ light fabricating shop Milsons Point. 7-4-1929

    505 38in cold saw inserted tooth blades for cutting up to 24in x 7½in RSJ light fabricating shop Milsons Point. 7-4-1929

  • 506 Battery of gantry type travelling drilling machines 6ft arm light fabricating shop Milsons Point. 7-4-1929

    506 Battery of gantry type travelling drilling machines 6ft arm light fabricating shop Milsons Point. 7-4-1929

  • 507 Waterproofing back of northern wall of Burton Street arch. 7-4-1929

    507 Waterproofing back of northern wall of Burton Street arch. 7-4-1929

  • 508 North approach erection of creeper crane. 29-4-1929

    508 North approach erection of creeper crane. 29-4-1929

  • 509 Dawes Point lower chord first panel. 9-5-1929

    509 Dawes Point lower chord first panel. 9-5-1929

  • 510 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    510 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 511 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    511 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 512 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    512 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 513 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    513 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 514 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    514 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 515 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

    515 Erection of 2nd panel. 9-5-1929

  • 516 Dawes Point anchorage cables. 9-5-1929

    516 Dawes Point anchorage cables. 9-5-1929

  • 517 Dawes Point lower chord first panel. 9-5-1929

    517 Dawes Point lower chord first panel. 9-5-1929

  • 518 Erection cables and western concrete saddle at top of cable tunnel. 6-6-1929

    518 Erection cables and western concrete saddle at top of cable tunnel. 6-6-1929

  • 519 Cable anchorage at top of end post. 6-6-1929

    519 Cable anchorage at top of end post. 6-6-1929

  • 520 View through steelwork from southern pylon. 6-6-1929

    520 View through steelwork from southern pylon. 6-6-1929

  • 521 Southern approach from creeper crane. 6-6-1929

    521 Southern approach from creeper crane. 6-6-1929

  • 522 The railway tunnels from north side of Argyle Street. 6-6-1929

    522 The railway tunnels from north side of Argyle Street. 6-6-1929

  • 523 View from deck of south approach spans looking southward. 6-6-1929

    523 View from deck of south approach spans looking southward. 6-6-1929

  • 524 The southern approach from southern end of contract. 6-6-1929

    524 The southern approach from southern end of contract. 6-6-1929

  • 525 Excavation for bridge railway tracks from Essex Street looking south. 6-6-1929

    525 Excavation for bridge railway tracks from Essex Street looking south. 6-6-1929

  • 526 Construction of pairs of railway tunnels northwards from Little Essex Street. 6-6-1929

    526 Construction of pairs of railway tunnels northwards from Little Essex Street. 6-6-1929

  • 527 Erection of piers for arch viaduct south end of contract. 6-6-1929

    527 Erection of piers for arch viaduct south end of contract. 6-6-1929

  • 528 Deck of southern approach spans. 6-6-1929

    528 Deck of southern approach spans. 6-6-1929

  • 529 View from orpheum picture show looking northwards. 7-6-1929

    529 View from orpheum picture show looking northwards. 7-6-1929

  • 530 Site of platform of shore tracks at Kirribilli station. 7-6-1929

    530 Site of platform of shore tracks at Kirribilli station. 7-6-1929

  • 531 Southern side from Milsons Point. 7-6-1929

    531 Southern side from Milsons Point. 7-6-1929

  • 532 The bridge taken from Fitzroy Street. 7-6-1929

    532 The bridge taken from Fitzroy Street. 7-6-1929

  • 533 the bridge from near Burton Street. 7-6-1929

    533 the bridge from near Burton Street. 7-6-1929

  • 534 View from Orpheum picture show. 7-6-1929

    534 View from Orpheum picture show. 7-6-1929

  • 535 View from Orpheum picture show. 7-6-1929

    535 View from Orpheum picture show. 7-6-1929

  • 536 Southern approach from Bennelong Point. 7-6-1929

    536 Southern approach from Bennelong Point. 7-6-1929

  • 537 Southern approach from Bennelong Point. 7-6-1929

    537 Southern approach from Bennelong Point. 7-6-1929

  • 538 Erection of fourth panel completed. 16-6-1929

    538 Erection of fourth panel completed. 16-6-1929

  • 539 Erection of fourth panel completed. 16-6-1929

    539 Erection of fourth panel completed. 16-6-1929

  • 540 Cables and bottom of cable tunnel. 25-6-1929

    540 Cables and bottom of cable tunnel. 25-6-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0541.jpg

    541 Cable tunnel back of concrete saddle. 25-6-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0542.jpg

    542 the cables at bottom of cable tunnel. 25-6-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0543.jpg

    543 Sydney and environs showing proposed new traffic routes. 1-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0544.jpg

    544 Creeper crane Dawes Point. 6-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0545.jpg

    545 Southern side from Milsons Point. 6-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0546.jpg

    546 Northern side from Dawes Point. 6-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0547.jpg

    547 Pouring reinforced concrete floor of 120ft arch. 16-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0548.jpg

    548 Pouring reinforced concrete floor of 120ft arch. 16-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0549.jpg

    549 Reinforcement in floor of 120ft arch. 16-7-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0550.jpg

    550 120ft arch bridge and falsework. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0551.jpg

    551 Waterproofing of deck of the 120ft arch. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0552.jpg

    552 northern approach from bridge over hickson road. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0553.jpg

    553 Erection of fourth panel completed. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0554.jpg

    554 Bridge stairs corner of burton and broughton streets north sydney miss r harvey. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0555.jpg

    555 Bridge stairs corner of burton and broughton streets north sydney. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0556.jpg

    556 Arthur Street arch from lane. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0557.jpg

    557 Erection of fourth panel completed. 8-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0558.jpg

    558 View from Bennelong Point. 15-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0559.jpg

    559 View from Bennelong Point. 15-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0560.jpg

    560 View from Bennelong Point four panels erected. 16-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0561.jpg

    561 erection of fourth panel completed. 16-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0562.jpg

    562 erection of fourth panel completed. 16-8-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0563.jpg

    563 120ft span reinforced concrete arch. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0564.jpg

    564 Arthur Street arch and viaduct piers looking south. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0565.jpg

    565 Arthur Street arch and viaduct piers looking north. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0566.jpg

    566 57ft 6in arch ring and falsework. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0567.jpg

    567 Cable link at link plates. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0568.jpg

    568 Panels 1 - 5 south side. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0569.jpg

    569 Half of top chord member 29-27. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0570.jpg

    570 Cable connection at link plates. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0571.jpg

    571 South east joint 22. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0572.jpg

    572 Lower chord splice member 22-22x. 1-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0573.jpg

    573 Cables connecting at link plates. 16-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0574.jpg

    574 Erecting lower chord member 18-16. 16-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0575.jpg

    575 Tensioning cables southeast anchorage. 16-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0576.jpg

    576 Arch viaduct at south end of contract. 16-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0577.jpg

    577 Lower chord member 18-16 on barge. 17-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0578.jpg

    578 Lower chord member 18-16 on barge. 17-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0579.jpg

    579 Lower chord member 18-16. 115 tons. 17-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0580.jpg

    580 View from Bennelong Point. 17-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0581.jpg

    581 Erection 6th panel south side. 17-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0582.jpg

    582 Excavation for south abutment of 220ft steel arch. 24-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0583.jpg

    583 Excavation for south abutment of 220ft steel arch. 24-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0584.jpg

    584 Excavation for south abutment of 220ft steel arch. 24-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0585.jpg

    585 Northern approaches from McMahons Point. 29-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0586.jpg

    586 Sydney Harbour Bridge from McMahons Point. 29-10-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0587.jpg

    587 Strain gauge instruments. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0588.jpg

    588 Preparing member for strain gauge measurements. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0589.jpg

    589 Cables entering anchorage tunnel through concrete saddle. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0590.jpg

    590 Cables bearing on face of tunnel anchorage. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0591.jpg

    591 Connecting cables to link plates. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0592.jpg

    592 View from McMahons Point. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0593.jpg

    593 View from near fitzroy street. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0594.jpg

    594 Erecting 6th panel south side. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0595.jpg

    595 Connecting cables to link plate pins. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0596.jpg

    596 Preparing member for strain gauge measurements. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0597.jpg

    597 Checking strain gauge on standard bar. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0598.jpg

    598 Taking strain measurements. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0599.jpg

    599 View from bennelong Point. 5-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0600.jpg

    600 Cables and steel pylon saddle north pylon. 6-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0601.jpg

    601 Erecting 2nd panel north side. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0602.jpg

    602 Erecting 7th panel south side. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0603.jpg

    603 View from McMahons Point. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0604.jpg

    604 View from McMahons Point. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0605.jpg

    605 View from McMahons Point. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0606.jpg

    606 Loading member on barge in dock. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0607.jpg

    607 Erecting 7th panel south side. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0608.jpg

    608 Erecting 2nd panel north side. 26-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0609.jpg

    609 Milsons Point from McMahons Point. 29-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0610.jpg

    610 Dawes Point from McMahons Point. 29-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0611.jpg

    611 View from Circular Quay. 30-11-1929

  • STR-1929 Photo 0612.jpg

    612 View from Bennelong Point. 2-12-1929

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