Queen Emma Pontoon bridge
The pontoon bridge that connects Punda and Otrobanda, was completed in 1888, after years of discussions. Till then, the connection between the two city districts was provided by “yola’s”; small ferries like the gondolas of Venice. In 1868, as was documented, about 4,000 people crossed the Annabay daily, in this manner. That year, Governor De Rouville launched the idea of building a bridge to connect Punda and Otrobanda. It was met with fierce opposition. A fixed connection, as was argued, would hinder the passing of shipping. Leonard Burlington Smith, the American consul in Curacao had thought this over and came with a detailed plan in 1886 for a floating bridge. A swinging pontoon bridge would give shipping unhindered passage and would give pedestrians the possibility to cross the Annabay. In 1887 he gained final approval for his plans. On April 30, 1888 L.B. Smith wrote to Governor Van den Brandhof that the work was ready to be inspected. Opening was scheduled for May 8, 1888. He asked the governor to give an appropriate name to the bridge. It was named the “Queen Emma Bridge.” The bridge was nicknamed “Swinging Old Lady” and became one of the most extraordinary landmarks of Curacao. The bridge of 1888 had wooden pontoons and was in many ways an extension of the Breedestraat in Punda, to the Breedestraat in Otrobanda. Later, the bridge was moved 18 m. further north.
Up to 1900, maintenance of the bridge was a responsibility of L.B. Smith. Nowadays Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) is the maintenance officer. With the opening of the Juliana Bridge in 1974, the Emma Bridge was closed to all vehicles.
More info at:
National Archives Curaçao
Publicatie:
The Centennial of the Queen Emmabridge (1988) - N.C. Römer-Kenepa
Publicatie:
Come and meet me on the Potoonbridge (2005) - G. Isenia-Francisca
BRON: Nationaal Archief Curaçao
27 янв 2022
