Today, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrates its 80th birthday!
Officially opened on 19 March 1932, the construction of this major engineering feat commenced in 1923. ‘The giant coat-hanger’, as it is affectionately known, took 1,300 men to build it, using six million rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel.
Below are some images from our collection that document the construction of the bridge. Click on the images for more information from our eMuseum.
MV Port Alma of London. Sydney Harbour 23 February 1930. Photographer: Frederick Garner Wilkinson
Parrakoola of Goteborg. Sydney 20 April 1930. Photographer: Frederick Garner Wilkinson
Postcard of Dutch cruiser HNLMS Java. Sydney 1930.
Postcard of SS Pakeha. Sydney 25 December 1930.
Rowboat on Sydney Harbour. Early 20th century. Photographer: William James Hall
For those with a keen interest, we have a great book available in our online store called Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge, written by John Nicholson.
