Bombay Display Board: Bridge
The text, images and references of the 'Bridge' column as featured on the display board at Bombay Reserve.
The road between Braidwood and Queanbeyan originally passed over the Shoalhaven River at Bombay crossing. It was a dangerous, swift-flowing crossing with deep pools in places. After the first bridge at Warri was completed in 1875, the Government boat was relocated to Bombay crossing, which made the route more dependable. After a tender process in 1893, the first bridge at Bombay was constructed by Mr T. Drummond. The eight-span low level bridge was about 266ft (81m) long and built entirely of ironbark beams, costing around £1650 to complete.
Grand opening of the first Bombay bridge in 1894.
Credit: Neil ‘Bill’ Grant
On 1st October 1894, to great excitement, more than 800 spectators from all over the district flocked to the opening of Bombay bridge. With the Braidwood band in attendance, the bridge was decorated with arches and bunting, parades and athletic games were held, a refreshment booth erected, and a paddock thrown open for all the horses and buggies. Amid the fanfare, Mr Austin Chapman MLA officially opened the bridge and Miss Anne Kennedy of Bombay cut the ribbon during the ceremony.
The original bridge withstood several significant flood events. In 1899 five inches of rain resulted in the bridge being submerged under 3-4 feet of water. Another serious flood in July 1922 covered the bridge by 20ft. However, the most significant flood in Bombay’s history occurred in May 1925. Locals reported the bridge being submerged by at least 22ft, shifting the structure off its bearings, causing major washouts at both ends.
The eastern bank of Bombay crossing showing the flood damage in May 1925. Photo: Whitfield, Braidwood & District
Historical Society
During the record breaking flood, school teacher, Mr Ted Cleaver, came to check local residents Mr and Mrs W Grant’s property on the east bank of Bombay crossing, and was horrified to find it completely surrounded by water. With assistance, he waded through the torrent and broke into the house to find water several feet deep, and Mrs Grant standing on the stove with her two children shoved up the chimney to keep them dry! The rescue was both fortunate and timely, as the river rose afterwards and most of the house was swept away.
Decades later in August 1974, another major flood event partially washed away the bridge after 248mm of rain was recorded locally. The structure was later repaired with concrete and steel girders, before being replaced with the current structure in 2004.
Bombay bridge under flood waters in March 2021.
Credit: S Hogg
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Bridge References:
- Grant family records and photo archives
- Header Image: 1914, Bombay Bridge, Shoalhaven River, via Braidwood, N.S.W., ca. 1914 , viewed 11 October 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147019934
- Trove, National Library of Australia, 24 Apr 1884 Goulburn Evening Penny Post <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/9756084>
- 1894 'Opening of a Bridge.', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 4 October, p. 4. , viewed 11 Oct 2025, <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98510508>
- The Braidwood dispatch and mining journal, Vol. 33, no. 61 (August 15, 1888)-December 24, 1954, Braidwood, New South Wales : James Cosgrove, 1858-1958.<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/title/472>
- Australian Government Bereau of Meteorology, 2024, Water Data Online, accessed 28/8/2024 from <http://www.bom.gov.au/waterdata/>
- Trove, 2024, Digitised Newspapers and Gazettes in Trove, retrieved 25 October 2024 from <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/about>. Papers included:
- 18 Sep 1925 Braidwood Despatch
- Oct 6 1916 Braidwood Despatch
- Australian Star 2 Oct 1894
- Goulburn Herald 20 May 1893
This Bombay Landcare Information Board project was proudly co-funded by Bendigo Community Bank Braidwood, WaterNSW
Bombay Landcare Group and Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council. With Special thanks to Sheep Station Creek Landcare's Christine Payne and Michael Gill for illustrations and design. Artwork © 2025 C Payne & M Gill. All rights reserved.