> > There are three basic types of draw bridge. The most common is the kind where one or both sides rise to a near vertical position allowing a tall ship to pass.
> >
> > Sometimes a section of the bridge is on a turntable so that it can rotate 90 degrees allowing ships to pass on both sides.
> >
> > Another type of drawbridge is the vertical lift where a section between two towers rises high enough to allow ships to pass underneath. The Tower Bridge in London is one of those.
> >
> > Without draw bridges, Hollywood car chases would be a lot less interesting.
> > Howard
>
> Tower Bridge fits neatly into the first category. I think a vertical lift might have been a challenging feat for engineers in 1870. Most such bridges were built comfortably into this century.
>
> Also, when I hear the term "drawbridge", I immediately think of a bridge across a moat, protecting a castle from attack, rather than a roadway across a river. I suppose that goes back to school history lessons.
>
> wintermute

There is a bridge like that in Toledo, Ohio, believe it or not. Toledo is the further inland international port in the US. I used to have to cross the Cherry Street bridge on my way to work. Never made me late, though.

Who knew Mousies had so much to say about bridges?