Hampden Bridge Legacy

The completed project included:

• Refurbishment of Pier 3 on the northern side of the Murrumbidgee River.
• Refurbishment of Abutment A and associated timber fencing.
• Installation of feature lighting around Abutment A.
• Installation of a replica gas lantern.
• Etched glass interpretation panels depicting the location and structure of the former Hampden Bridge.
• Historical interpretation and educational signage highlighting the bridge's significance, construction methods and role in Wagga Wagga's development.

The project also incorporated historic photographs and interpretive displays that provided insight into the bridge's construction and the experiences of the workers who built it in the late nineteenth century.

The Crossing Place

The Hampden Bridge interpretation project drew on a number of historical themes, all of which related directly to the bridge and its significance to Wagga Wagga.

There have been three bridges built at this location, each with its own unique story and connection to the history of Wagga Wagga. The first, the Wagga Wagga Bridge, was constructed in 1862 and owned by the Wagga Wagga Bridge Company. It became locally known as the "Company Bridge".

The Hampden Bridge was constructed to replace the ageing Company Bridge and opened in 1895. At the time, it was considered an innovative structure that incorporated engineering developments from both Australia and the United States. A century later, the Wiradjuri Bridge opened in 1995, providing a more reliable connection between North Wagga and the Wagga Wagga CBD.

The Bridge Builders

The interpretation project also recognised the workers who built the Hampden Bridge and the challenges they faced during its construction.

The bridge piers were constructed by sinking large cylinders into the riverbed until they reached bedrock. Once in place, the cylinders were pumped dry and filled with compressed air to prevent water from entering from below. Labourers then worked inside the pressurised chambers, excavating material until solid bedrock was reached.

Working in these conditions exposed labourers to caisson disease, commonly known as "the bends". The condition occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream under pressure and can cause nausea, paralysis, haemorrhaging and, in severe cases, death. While workers often showed no symptoms during their shift, they could become seriously ill when returning rapidly to normal atmospheric pressure.

By the time construction of the Hampden Bridge commenced in 1893, airlocks were being used to help decompress workers as they returned to the surface. Despite this, historical records show at least one known case of caisson disease occurring during the bridge's construction.

The incident was reported in both the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and the Wagga Wagga Express. On 2 October 1894, the Wagga Wagga Advertiser reported that labourer James Chapman was brought ashore exhausted and partially paralysed after completing a shift under compressed air. He was treated by Dr Thane and eventually regained consciousness. The Wagga Wagga Express also reported that Chapman collapsed shortly after leaving the compressed-air chamber. These accounts provide a rare insight into the risks faced by workers involved in constructing the bridge.

NSW Transport Network

The Hampden Bridge played an important role in the growth and development of the Riverina's transport network during the late nineteenth century.

During the 1870s, railway lines and stations expanded across the Riverina as the New South Wales Government sought to improve connections between regional producers and Sydney. Prior to this, many Riverina goods were transported by paddle steamer to Melbourne, resulting in export revenue flowing to Victoria.

Roads and bridges became essential links between farms, towns and railway stations, enabling goods and people to move more efficiently throughout the region. The Hampden Bridge formed part of this broader transport network, helping connect communities and supporting economic growth throughout the Riverina.

Engineering Innovation

The significance assessments completed before the bridge's demolition highlighted the engineering achievements incorporated into the design by Public Works Department engineer Percy Allen.

The bridge represented an important example of engineering innovation in New South Wales, with its design reflecting both advances in bridge technology and the particular circumstances that made those innovations possible. The project explored how these achievements contributed not only to the construction of the Hampden Bridge but also influenced the development of similar bridges across the state.

Signage and Interpretation

A key outcome of the legacy project was the installation of interactive and informative interpretive signage.

One of the project's feature elements was a glass interpretation panel installed on a platform above the original Bridge Abutment A, which remains on site today. When viewed from the designated location, the panel provides a visual representation of the former Hampden Bridge, helping visitors understand the scale and position of the original structure.

Historical Photography

The original bridge abutment, constructed in 1893, was incorporated into the project as a feature display area for two photographs from the FitzGerald Collection.

Robert FitzGerald was an engineer with the Department of Public Works and may have been involved in supervising the bridge's construction. The photographs provide a rare glimpse into the lives of the men who worked on the project. While images of engineers and managers from this period are relatively common, photographs documenting ordinary labourers at work are far less so.

Together with industrial heritage research and contemporary newspaper accounts, the photographs help tell the story of the bridge's construction methods, working conditions and the experiences of the people who built one of Wagga Wagga's most significant pieces of infrastructure.