Bodie Creek Bridge

This steel suspension bridge was built by  the Falkland Islands Company over a period of nine months between  October 1924 and July 1925.

The decision to build the bridge came  about as the result of a proposal in 1922 to centralise Darwin and  Walker Creek operations at Goose Green. New shearing sheds were to be  built at Goose Green and it was realised that the bridge was a necessity if sheep were to be brought there from the Walker Creek camps. The  final construction proposals were approved by the Board of Directors of  the F.I.C. at a meeting on 31st March 1924.

The bridge was manufactured in London by David Rowell & Co. at a cost of £2,281 and shipped to the Falklands on the ss Ballena. It has a span of 400 feet carrying an 8ft wide roadway. It is suspended by four 2 inch diameter steel cables carried over two 40 foot towers.

The Engineer in Charge was C.P. Peters (learn more about Charlers Peters here: http://www.bodiecreekbridge.com) and the foreman was the mason E.S. Crawford. The navvy gang engaged on the project numbered fourteen on  average. After the construction of the bridge itself, remaining  ancillary work on the approach roads was completed by the end of October 1925, enabling the first sheep to be brought over the bridge in time for the beginning of the new shearing season.

Sadly, Bodie Creek Bridge is now in a poor condition. The Museum & National Trust hopes that, at some time in the future, funds may become available to carry out work on the bridge in an effort to slow deterioration, but the magnitude of the task makes it unlikely.