Tyne and Wear HER(5179): Barras Bridge, Armstrong Memorial - Details
5179
Newcastle
Barras Bridge, Armstrong Memorial
Newcastle
NZ26NW
Commemorative
Commemorative Monument
Commemorative Monument
20TH CENTURY
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Structure
Statue of Sir William, late Lord Armstrong and screen walls depicting some of his achievements. Erected in 1905/6 the life-size statue commemorates the founder of the largest 19th century engineering, armaments and ship building complex in the region. He was also a considerable benefactor to the City. The left hand screen wall shows gunds being lowered onto a ship whilst on the right is Armstrong's Swing Bridge. The statue and relief panels are made of bronze and the surrounding steps, wall, piers and pedestal are of sandstone. Signed by Hamo Thornycroft. William George Armstrong was born in Shieldfield in 1810, the son of a corn merchant. The development of his works from four buildings making hydraulic machinery to a 230 acre site producing steel, ships, munitions and hydraulic equipment was the pre-eminent industrial achievement of Victorian Tyneside. Following the invention of the Armstrong Gun he was made engineer to the War Department and given a knighthood. He spent his final years at Cragside near Rothbury, dying in 1900. His benefactions to the City included the Mechanics Institute, a lecture hall at the Literary and Philosophical Society and Jesmond Dene. He also financially supported the Hancock Museum. LISTED GRADE 2
424870
565060
NZ424870565060
<< HER 5179 >> I. Ayris & S.M. Linsley, 1994, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Tyne and Wear, p 78
Dept. of National Heritage, of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 14/284
I. Ayris, P. Jubb, S.Palmer & P. Usherwood, 1996, A Guide to the Public Monuments & Sculpture of Tyne and Wear, p 23
T. Coulter & R. Ogilvy in association with City Design, 2002, Monuments, War Memorials, Drinking Fountains - Condition & Recommendations, p 7; Paul Usherwood, Jeremy Beach and Catherine Morris, 2000, Public Sculpture of North-East England, p 92-93; Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead - Pevsner Architectural Guide, p. 32; Spence and Dower, Oct 2008, Monuments, War Memorials and Drinking Fountains in the care of Newcastle City Council - a report on condition with recommendations for repair and maintenance