Britannia Bridge across the Menai Strait between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales. It was originally designed and built by Robert Stephenson as a tubular bridge of wrought iron rectangular box-section spans for carrying rail traffic. Begun in 1846, the bridge opened on 5 March 1850. For its time, it was a bridge of "magnitude and singular novelty" far surpassing in length contemporary cast beam or plate girder iron bridges. One aspect of its method of construction was also novel: The box sections were assembled on-shore, then floated out into position before being gradually lifted into place using powerful jacks. Engraving by S. Bradshaw after G. Dodgson.