West View of the Cast Iron Bridge – like bridge 22
This view shows the Lord Duncan, the largest ship built in Sunderland at that time, passing under the bridge. The ship was launched in 1798, just a couple of years after the bridge opened. But any real acquaintance with the bridge would have been short lived, as she was blown up in 1807 by an explosion in San Domingo.
Attributed to Dawson, Low Ford Pottery – like bridge 22, plate 1 signed Ed Barker
This version of the transfer is almost identical to the bridge 22 transfer from Scott's and those that appear on lustre jugs from North Shields in the 1830s. The frog is found on marked Dawson mugs. This Dawson version of the transfer is signed 'Ed Barker' (see below). Edward Barker was an engraver who received payments from Scott's Southwick Pottery between 1796 and 1800. This transfer shows that he was working Dawson also. From about 1801 to 1841 Barker is said to have been foreman at Scott's Pottery, so it seems likely that this transfer pre-dates that period. It is possible that this transfer was the prototype for bridge 22.
The mug above has a thick-set looking frog with short legs. Below is, an almost identical mug, but without the frog, and another from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection.
