Flooded – The bridge in high water
From the 14th to the 15th of June 1910, torrential rain fell overnight in Switzerland, causing waterbodies to overflow in 21 cantons. One day later, the severe flooding reached Basel, inundating streets and cellars. In Hüningen, the floods tore away parts of the bridge Schiffsbrücke. The Middle Bridge though, completed five years earlier, passed the test and withstood the masses of water. In contrast, older chronicles are full of reports of damage to the previous bridge: In 1424, the Rhine washed away half of its wooden pillars at once. Boats were hastily moored to serve as floating emergency crossings, while the remaining parts of the bridge were linked by an up-and-down series of ladders. Crossing the Rhine was a dangerous climbing expedition for many weeks, until the bridge was at last completely restored.
Bildquelle: Privatsammlung