Tower Bridge Gateway

Being a Group from the Greater London area, our County badge includes a picture of Tower Bridge. This gateway was designed for a District camp.

Equipment

• 11 x Spars 3.6 metres (12 feet) long
• 8 x Spars 2.5 metres (8 feet) long
• 16 x Spars 2.0 metres (7 feet) long
• 8 x Spars 3.0 metres (10 feet) long
• 5 x Spars 7.0 metres (21 feet) long
• [or 10 additional 3.6m]
• 8 x Staves 1.8 metre (6 feet) long
• 80 x lashing lengths
• 20 x light cords about 2 metres long
• 5 x ropes measuring 15-25 metres long
• 2 x pulleys
• large pegs or pickets
• 2 flags

Method

The two towers are constructed lying on the ground about 2.5 metres apart with the butts of the 3.6 metre spars in line – [a].

Brace the top and bottom of each tower using 2.5 metre spars [b].

Add the vertical bracing to each side of both towers leaving enough room for the upper struts – [c] bracing [b] omitted for clarity.

Lash the upper struts between the towers, two on the front and one on the back. Ideally these will be 7.0 metres long, but could be made up of two shorter spars joined by sheer lashings.

The pyramids and flag poles/flags are now attached to the top of the towers [d].

Attach the four main guys to the outermost corners of the structure.

Now build a tripod and use it to raise the gate, as for the hour glass tower. The two guys attached to the front of the gate can be tied together to form a yoke which, with the use of a pulley, will ensure an even lift – [e].

Lash one bridge support across the inner face of each tower -[f].

The actual bridge members are each made up of two spars. Lash the upper bridge members to the top of the bridge support of each side, suspending the other ends from the centre of the upper strut. Then lash the lower bridge members to the underside of the bridge supports. Bind the upper and lower members on each side together.

Helpful Hint: It is recommended that two spars are lashed temporarily between the feet of the towers to keep them in line during the lift.

To download the complete plan and design document please Click Here