Tower Bridge, London, 1894.

Photograph by Valentine, printed in the London Illustrated News (1894). Tower Bridge was opened in June 1894 by the Prince of Wales. It is an example of a bascule bridge, where the central section can be opened drawbridge-style to enable shipping to pas through. The central leaves or 'bascules' are raised or lowered by huge pivot shafts. Here the bascules are seen raised. The Tower of London can be seen immediately behind the bridge.