East View of Waterford 'East View of Waterford' by Thomas Sautelle Roberts
December 19th 1805
© Waterford City Council

Archaeology & History:

From Timbertoes to Rice Bridge

Timbertoes:

The renowned bridge builder Lemuel Cox of Malden, Massachusetts was invited to Waterford to build the proposed bridge. In 1785 Cox built his first bridge from Boston to Charlestown, across the Charlestown River.

Before coming to Waterford he had already built the Foyle Bridge in Derry which he finished in 1792. After Waterford, Cox went on to build bridges in New Ross, Wexford, Enniscorthy and Portuma.

The site chosen for the bridge was opposite Love Lane (Bridge Street). The bridge was constructed out of American oak. The bottom of the river was levelled and trestles were placed on the river bed. Lemuel Cox was presented with the freedom of the City of Waterford in a silver box in recognition of his work on the bridge.

The Timber Bridge was known locally as 'Timbertoes'. Two tablets on the centre piers of the bridges recorded the construction of the bridge; "On April 13th 1793 the foundations of the bridge were laid. The money was raised through loans and parliamentary grants. The Bridge opened on the 18th January 1794 for the passage of carriages".

The Timber Bridge was 832 feet long (it was later reduced to 734 feet by quay extensions), 40 feet wide and consisted of stone supports and 40 sets of piers of oak.

The depth of water at lowest ebb was 37 feet. The width of the carriage was 26 feet and the two foot paths were 7 feet wide. It cost £14,000.

The original Timber Bridge stopped ships sailing up river beyond the bridge. By 1800 a draw bridge was constructed with an opening span of 20 feet. By 1854 this was found to be inadequate and the opening was enlarged to 40 feet – which allowed paddle steamers to pass.

The bridge was a toll bridge. This was unpopular with the citizens of Waterford but despite public complaints, Timbertoes remained a toll bridge for over 100 years. In 1906 the Corporation promoted a 'Bridge Act' that empowered them to give notice to the Bridge proprietors to purchase the bridge. By 1907 the Corporation purchased the Toll Bridge for £63, 000, making it a toll free bridge from midnight on the 31st December 1907.

On Friday 20th December 1907 the editorial of The Waterford News reads, "The Bridge is now the property of the citizens of Waterford and on the first day of January, 1908 it will be a Free Bridge...it is safe to say it will materially increase the trade of Waterford City" The paper added, "the fight for the freedom of the bridge has been arduous and costly".

Timbertoes -> Redmond Bridge -> Rice Bridge