Bermuda isn’t huge, a scant 21 square miles so it’s pretty easy to see just about everything. I was shocked though as I looked out of the car window as we drove over one of the many bridges to see what appeared to be a drawbridge. But it couldn’t be, I had to be mistaken, it was far to small to be anything useful – except that it was.
Like most things in Bermuda, the history of the Somerset Bridge is long. The original bridge dates back to 1620, but most of the structure was rebuilt in the 20th century. Originally, the bridge had to be hand cranked whenever a boat needed to pass through. Today though the bridge consists of two cantilevered half-spans, separated by an 18-inch gap bridged by a thick wooden panel. The drawbridge is only 22 inches wide and is used very rarely. Whenever a boat with a mast needs to pass by, someone from the yacht club removes a panel so that the ship can enter unharmed. Even with the panel removed though it must take an expert sailor to navigate the narrow pass, a feat not everyone would feel comfortable performing.
Regardless of the logistics, this quirky little bridge is yet another reason why I love Bermuda.
What’s your favorite unusual landmark?
