Historedia
Person

Elias Martin

Events
1
Episodes
5
Years
1773–1781

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Elias Martin, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Erection of the Iron Bridge

    1773–1781

    Role: artist whose watercolour depicts the bridge under construction in 1779

    1. 1773 · Ironbridge Gorge, River SevernPritchard proposes a cast iron bridge

      In 1773, architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard wrote to ironmaster John Wilkinson suggesting a bridge built of cast iron.

    2. 1777–1778 · Ironbridge Gorge crossing of the River SevernMasonry and abutments constructed

      The masonry and abutments of the Iron Bridge were constructed between 1777 and 1778, before the iron ribs were raised.

    3. July 1777 · Ironbridge Gorge crossing of the River SevernSpan revised in July 1777

      In July 1777 the bridge's span was decreased to 90 feet, then increased to 100 feet 6 inches, possibly for a towpath.

    4. 2 July 1779 · Ironbridge Gorge crossing of the River SevernRibs lifted and bridge first spans the river

      The cast iron ribs were lifted into place in summer 1779, and the bridge first spanned the River Severn on 2 July 1779.

    5. 1 January 1781 · Ironbridge Gorge crossing of the River SevernBridge opens to traffic

      The Iron Bridge was opened to traffic on 1 January 1781, becoming the first major bridge in the world made of cast iron.

Sources

  1. The Iron Bridge Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-06