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Description: | The wonder to which this song title refers in fact Sunderland Bridge. Sunderland bridge was constructed and erected by Rowland Burdon in 1796. The total cost of the structure was ��40,000. In order to fund the bridge Burdon advanced the sum of ��30,000 on security of tolls. Burdon's shares in the bridge were soon offered for sale however and it was decided to sell Burdon's interest in the bridge by means of a lottery. Fortunately the bridge was still opened to the public on August 8, 1796. An Act of Parliament was then obtained in 1857 for the renovation of the bridge, which was carried out by Robert Stephenson.The song is taken from a small selection of broadsheets held by Durham University Library. The broadsheets were printed in the early to mid 19th century, although only one of the songs is dated. Similar to the cheap press of today broadsheets catered for popular tastes, being sold by chapmen in the country and booksellers in the town. Usually sold for no more than a penny, the production of broadsides and penny chapbooks were extremely profitable for most printers. Sold in bulk the material required little proof-reading, was widely plagiarised, and badly printed. ; A collection of broadsheets on various subjects, from Durham University Library | Publisher: | unknown unknown | Rights holder: | rights holder : Durham University | Subjects: | bridges & construction & rivers buildings and views Landscapes | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:Q0100003 | Go to resource |
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