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Quiz about London Landmarks Tower Bridge

London Landmarks: Tower Bridge Quiz

Tower Bridge is one of the most recognisable landmarks in London. If you live in the UK, or are coming to visit from abroad, test your knowledge of this famous bridge by playing this short quiz

A multiple-choice quiz by keanet. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
keanet

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
315,171

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
446

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. During the Industrial Revolution, the East End of London experienced a boom in trade and became a major port. It was soon recognised that a new crossing of the River Thames was required downstream of London Bridge. What was the major requirement of such a new crossing? Hint

The new crossing should not jeopardise the structure of the Thames Tunnel

The new crossing should not be constructed of steel

Tall ships should not be impeded by the new river crossing

The bridge was to accommodate river traffic, steam locomotives and pedestrians

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1876, a committee was formed to establish the design of the new river crossing. The public were permitted to submit their designs, and over 50 were received. One such entry was from the man who designed London's sewer network. What was his name? Hint

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Barnes Wallis

James Watt

Joseph Bazalgette

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1884 a design for the new bridge submitted by Horace Jones was approved. Jones' engineer, Sir John Wolfe Barry, came up with the idea of a bascule bridge. What does the word bascule mean? Hint

A French term for seesaw and balance

Turntable

Rotating platform

A system of interlocking platforms

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Question 4 of 10

4. Construction of the bridge began in 1886. It was made of steel and consisted of two towers built on piers. The central span was split into two equal bascules or leaves and the towers were clad in stone to give a more "traditional" appearance to match which nearby landmark? Hint

London Bridge

Tower of London

Windsor Castle

Buckingham Palace

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Question 5 of 10

5. To accommodate tall river traffic, the two equal bascules or leaves of Tower Bridge are raised when required. How was this achieved originally? Hint

Pressurised water generated by steam engines

Pressurised gas, generated by steam engines

A system of counter weights powered by steam

A system of cables and pulleys governed by a steam engine

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Question 6 of 10

6. The two steam engines that ultimately enabled the raising and lowering of the bascules were eventually replaced by more modern sources of power and were decommissioned in 1976. What became of them? Hint

The engines were sold for scrap in 1979

Tragically, both engines were destroyed by fire in 1977 whilst awaiting decommission

One engine was broken up for spare parts to service the other which is often fired up in London's Science Museum

They reside in the Tower Bridge Museum

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Question 7 of 10

7. Connecting the two towers of the bridge are two high-level walkways that were originally open to the public. In 1910 the walkways were closed. What was one reason for this? Hint

Structural defects made the walkways a risk to the public

The walkways between the towers gained an unpleasant reputation as a haunt for prostitutes and pickpockets

A tall ship famously collided with the bridge, causing much damage

Due to rising tensions with Germany, a Zeppelin attack was feared

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Question 8 of 10

8. An incident in 1968 involving Tower Bridge led to the arrest of Alan Pollock. What did he do? Hint

Pollock gained access to the bridge control room and vandalised the bridge controls

In his Jaguar MKII, Pollock attempted to jump the bridge as it was raising to accommodate the Royal Yacht

Pollock positioned himself between to two leaves of the bridge and refused to move as a protest to America's involvement in Vietnam

Pollock, an RAF fast jet pilot, flew underneath the bridge in his Hawker Hunter

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Question 9 of 10

9. River traffic on the Thames is not what it used to be, so the bridge is rarely raised these days.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Today, how many people (including those in vehicles) cross Tower Bridge every day? Hint

10,000

36,000

160,000

40,000

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Tall ships should not be impeded by the new river crossing

In those days most ships carried a tall mast, so a low bridge was not an option. Many bridge designs were submitted to accommodate tall ships, the one you see today was the winner.

Answer: Joseph Bazalgette

Bazalgette was an Victorian engineer probably best known for designing London's sewer network, much of which is still in use today. Although his bridge design was not accepted, he went on to many other worthy projects.

James Watt was a Scottish engineer whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the Industrial Revolution.

Barnes Wallis is probably best known as the inventor of the "bouncing bomb" as used in the Dambusters raids against Germany during WWII.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is known for the building of railways, steamships (including the first propeller-driven transatlantic steamship) and many important bridges and tunnels (but not Tower Bridge). He is a hero of British engineering.

3. In 1884 a design for the new bridge submitted by Horace Jones was approved. Jones' engineer, Sir John Wolfe Barry, came up with the idea of a bascule bridge. What does the word bascule mean?

Answer: A French term for seesaw and balance

Tower Bridge consists of two bascules that raise to allow tall river traffic to pass. The bascules when in their normal position carry road and pedestrian traffic across the Thames. A few minutes before the bridge is due to be raised, traffic is stopped and an audible indicator sounds. The bridge is raised and closed in a surprisingly short time, which probably pleases waiting motorists.

Answer: Tower of London

If you are on the south side of the Thames next to Tower Bridge, you can look accoss the river and see the Tower of London and compare the architecture.
A product of Victorian engineering, Tower Bridge is basically a steel frame clad in stone, a design principle not that dissimilar to modern buildings.

The present London Bridge was built in 1973 and lacks (in my opinion) the presence it deserves.

Windsor Castle is in the county of Berkshire, therefore nowhere near Tower
Bridge.

Buckingham Palace was originally known as Buckingham House, and now is the official residence of the British Monarch.

5. To accommodate tall river traffic, the two equal bascules or leaves of Tower Bridge are raised when required. How was this achieved originally?

Answer: Pressurised water generated by steam engines

Steam engines would pressurise water, which would then provide rams with sufficient power to raise the heavy bascules.

Answer: They reside in the Tower Bridge Museum

Indeed the engines are still in existence and located in the Tower Bridge museum. They look to be in good condition and one is artificially driven so visitors can see the movement of the engine.

7. Connecting the two towers of the bridge are two high-level walkways that were originally open to the public. In 1910 the walkways were closed. What was one reason for this?

Answer: The walkways between the towers gained an unpleasant reputation as a haunt for prostitutes and pickpockets

The walkways were closed in 1910 due to lack of use and the unsavoury characters who chose to frequent them. Due to the narrowness of the walkways it would have been difficult to avoid such people, possibly creating a threatening situation.

Today, the walkways still cannot be used to cross the river but are instead used as part of the Tower Bridge museum, displaying facts and pictures concerning the history of the bridge.

8. An incident in 1968 involving Tower Bridge led to the arrest of Alan Pollock. What did he do?

Answer: Pollock, an RAF fast jet pilot, flew underneath the bridge in his Hawker Hunter

On 5 April 1968 a British Hawker Hunter jet fighter, flown by Flt Lt Alan Pollock, flew under Tower Bridge. Pollock was unhappy that the RAF's 50th birthday was not going to be celebrated with a fly-past, so he decided to do something about it.

Pollock proceeded to fly his Hunter at low level down the Thames, past the Houses of Parliament and continued on to Tower Bridge where he flew the Hunter beneath the bridge's walkway.

Needless to say Pollock was not in the RAF for much longer.

9. River traffic on the Thames is not what it used to be, so the bridge is rarely raised these days.

Answer: False

Tower Bridge raises at least once a day to allow ships to pass. In its early days it would have been closer to 22 times a day but of course the River Thames is not so busy with tall ships as it once was.

You can find the daily raising times by visiting the Tower Bridge website, www.towerbridge.org.uk

10. Today, how many people (including those in vehicles) cross Tower Bridge every day?

Answer: 40,000

Tower Bridge is a busy Thames crossing. Over 40,000 people (motorists and pedestrians) cross every day. So that the bridge structure is not damaged by heavy vehicles, there is a weight limit of 18 tonnes.

Source: Author keanet

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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