Repairs to Trowse Bridge
At the end of August 1912, many parts of East Anglia were under water. It had started to rain over several days but heavily in the early hours of August 26th. 8” (200+mm) of rain fell within a 24-hour period.
There were also gales that meant tides remained high, so with rainwater coming from the adjoining land many rivers were breached and as many as 40 bridges sustained damage.
Trowse, and its bridge over the Yare was one such place as can be seen in the postcards below;-
Over the bridge with the Pumping Station behind and another looking towards Trowse.
James Hobrough had established a civil engineering firm in 1854 and the company was employed to carried out the bridge repairs.
Two pictures over the damaged bridge towards Norwich
Safety fencing was erected and work started on the ‘Engineer’s’ House on the Norwich side of the river. This is still standing and now called the ‘White House’.
A new cut was made between that main bridge and the smaller Whitlingham bridge near the Church to divert the river. This ran parallel to and South of the main road.
The new cut being cleared between the main river (left) and once flooded (right).
The river was dammed either side of the bridge and the area between pumped out.
Finished bridge with supporting timbers (below)
