A selection of photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is available on Photo Investigator.
About the images
The purpose of this series of photos was to document the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the turning of the first sod and the initial acts of construction to the official opening and early use of the bridge.
The images are black and white photographs which were developed from glass negatives and pasted into large albums. One volume is devoted to the southern approach, two to the northern approach and 11 to the main Bridge.
There are many photos of equipment both idle and in use. Examples of these include cranes of various sizes; plate mangle; hydraulic riveter; angle cropper; drilling machines; creeper crane; power pumps; hydraulic jacks and the painting gantry.
Images of school children crossing the bridge days before its opening, and of the first trams, trains and private vehicles to use the bridge are included in this series. The official opening celebrations and ceremony included water and aerial pageants, a procession, delivery of the good will message, search light and fireworks display. The spectators are shown as is the public crossing the bridge which followed the ceremony.
The albums consist of over 2000 images and cover the years 1923-33 and are being progressively added to Photo Investigator as each album is scanned.
» See more about the albums in Archives Investigator
Sydney Harbour Bridge photos on YouTube
Over the Bridge narrated by Alan Ventress.
Duration: 9 min 31 sec
If you are new to YouTube simply use the controls below to play the video within this page. To view the video at a larger size click the video screen itself and watch it on the YouTube website where you have the option to enlarge the screen size.
Related records
There are several places you can find listings and/or examples of records of the Sydney harbour Bridge:
Archives in Brief 37: A Brief History of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Archives in Brief 38: Sydney Harbour Bridge records
'Around the Rugged Rocks' Digital Gallery
Other collections in Photo Investigator
Maritime Services Board Glass Negatives
State Rail Authority Archives Photographic Reference Print Collection