Somerset DrawbridgeSomerset Drawbridge center with 32 inch bisected plank opened by hand to allow the passage of sailboat masts
Somerset Bridge is a small bridge in Bermuda connecting Somerset Island with the mainland in the western parish of Sandys, Somerset Bridge is reputedly the smallest working drawbridge in the world. It crosses a small channel connecting the Great Sound with Ely's Harbour.
The bridge is mentioned in the acts of Bermuda's first parliament, held in St. George's on 1 August 1620. Bridges were to be constructed at Somerset, the Flatts, and Coney Island. Additionally, the road from Somerset to Warwick was to be improved, and extended to Castle Point.[1] The bridge appears on a 1624 map of Bermuda.[2]
The bridge is opened by hand, creating a 32-inch gap that allows the passage of a sailboat's mast. The drawbridge is depicted on a Bermudian banknote.[3]
Somerset Bridge's Ingenious Design
One of the most remarkable aspects of Somerset Bridge is its design. Thought to be the smallest drawbridge in the world, Somerset Bridge features a 32-inch bisected plank that opens manually to allow the passage of sailboat masts. This simple yet ingenious mechanism has made Somerset Bridge a subject of fascination for visitors.[3]
Somerset Bridge on Bermuda's $20 Bill
Somerset Bridge, known for its ingenious design as the world's smallest drawbridge, is also featured on Bermuda's $20 bill, highlighting its cultural significance.[3][1]
Notes
^Wilkinson, Henry (1958). The Adventurers of Bermuda (Second ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 138–140.
^Harris, Edward (1997). Bermuda Forts, 1612-1957 (First ed.). Bermuda Maritime Museum Press. p. 47.
