Larpool Viaduct - Whitby
Work began in 1882 and the Viaduct took almost 2 years to build.
The photo above was taken shortly after work started and shows the first of the
giant pier support columns of the Viaduct being laid.
Note the diver with his old fashioned breathing apparatus, to the right of the photo.
Six men fell to their deaths whilst construction was underway.
The Viaduct is 915 feet long and its highest point is 125 foot above the river.
It is supported on 12 piers with 13 arches.
The mid section piers are built on a twist so that they do not affect the natural flow of the river.
5 million bricks were used and the structure cost £40,000 at the time.
The Viaduct was also mentioned in Bram Stokers book, 'Dracula'.
The Viaduct was eventually sold by British Rail for only £1.
You can walk
across the Viaduct pathway quite easily, taking only about 15 minutes
to walk directly into
Whitby town centre without using any roads or encountering
traffic - some comfort for those with young children.
Take
your camera as the views from the top are stunning,
especially when the tide is in and the river is in full flood.
The viaduct as it is today