Salvaged From The Sea Floor - The Incredible story of Redesdale's Iron Bridge

Today we're down on the Campaspe River 100 kilometres north of Melbourne to tell the amazing story of the Redesdale Bridge.

Have you ever wondered why there is such an impressive bridge on a secondary road way out in rural Victoria?

Well, along with it's striking appearance, this bridge also has a fascinating history. It shares a connection with Melbourne's Hawthorn Bridge, an 1850s ship fire, and a parliamentary scandal!

We're going to explore the incredible story of how the beautiful ironwork for this bridge was salvaged from the sea floor over 160 years ago.

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Research - John Tully

Writing - John Tully and Michelle Ross

Filming/production - Michelle Ross

Victorian History Adventures © 2024

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IMAGES USED

Gt. [i.e. Great] Collins St. looking East from Wesleyan Chapel, Melbourne. Tingle, J., engraver. 1857. State Library Victoria

The Melbourne and Hobson's Bay United Railway Company's Pier. Nettleton, Charles, 1826-1902, photographer.

THE SHIP HABITANT ON FIRE IN THE YARRA [Melbourne, Vic.] July 2, 1894. Melbourne : David Syme and Co. 1894. State Library Victoria

P.S. Gem Port Melbourne - Williamstown.

Divers removing Falls Reef, Yarra River / Lindt, J. W. (John William), 1845-1926. [between 1876 and 1888] National Library Australia

Redesdale Bridge, Charles Nettleton. 1877. National Library Australia

Charles Nettleton, self portrait, 1864.

Redesdale Bridge, 1976. Tully

The Eureka Stockade, 3rd December, 1854. Patterson, Shugge & Co., engraver. [Melbourne, Victoria] : Osboldstone & Attkins [1904]. State Library Victoria

Last scene of the Kelly drama: the criminal on the scaffold. Melbourne : Alfred May and Alfred Martin Ebsworth 1880. State Library Victoria