From the outside, Tower Bridge appears to be built completely of brick and stone, but once inside, the skeleton of the Victorian beast reveals itself.

Sir William Arrol was the mastermind responsible for the elaborate steelwork that fills every space, held together by millions of rivets; immense cantilevered steel beams extend across the gap between the two Towers forming the iconic Walkways.

The steelwork on Tower Bridge was manufactured and installed with such accuracy and safety that there are no reports of any serious accidents amongst the Steelworkers and no reports of any materials being dropped onto shipping passing below.

George Edward Wilson Cruttwell (known as Edward Cruttwell), was the Resident Engineer, overseeing the works from the start, back in 1886. Cruttwell was a young man – only 28 years old – when he was appointed to manage the works on Tower Bridge. He had previously worked on Blackfriars Bridge, and his talent earned him the important position on this exciting new project.

The Riveters of Tower Bridge were essential Workers who helped to build the iconic structure you see today. It was dangerous work that required a huge amount of skill and precision.

A team of Riveters earned an average of £137.78 per week in wages. This equates to about £610 per week each in today’s money, which is a good wage, even by modern standards.

Before Tower Bridge opened to the public on Monday 9 July 1894, there were all sorts of last-minute repairs, checks and inspections. Weight testing, some finishing touches, completing the road surfaces. The Bridge was alive with Workers, Foremen and Engineers. Wiping, painting, hammering, shouting. These photos taken in the weeks leading up to the opening give a unique glimpse of this important time.