Blood's Pontoon 1870-1889

In military engineering terms a pontoon is a boat or other other floating vessel (such as a hollow metal cylinder e.g. Blood's Pontoon), of which a number are used to support a temporary bridge over a river.

The 'Blood Pontoon' was designed by Lieutenant (later General Sir) Blood (1842-1940). In his reminiscences Four Score Years and Ten published in 1933 he describes its inception:

"In 1865 I was appointed to one of the Troops of the Royal Engineers, of which the speciality was the transport and rapid construction of floating bridges in ‘First Line’. In November 1866 I marched to Chatham with this Troop, and we spent an instructive and very pleasant year there, returning to Aldershot on November 1867.

While my troop was at Chatham in the summer of 1867, our higher authorities decided that our pontoon bridge equipment was unsatisfactory in some particulars, and invited officers to submit designs for a new pattern. So I submitted a new design which was approved for trial, and some time after my troop returned to Aldershot in November 1867, I was sent back to Chatham to carry out the necessary manufacture and experiments under the orders of the R.E. Committee, which then attended to such matters. I remained at Chatham, with a short interval at Aldershot in 1870, until I went to India in 1871, the new pontoon equipment being finally adopted in 1870."

The 'Blood' Pontoon (Mk II) replaced the 'Blanshard' Pontoon (Mk I) and remained in use until 1889. Because of shortage of Mark II pontoons, it is believed both were employed during the Zulu war (1879).

The Blanshard Pontoon was designed by Major Blanshard in 1836 and was of a cylindrical design with hemispherical ends.

"The pontoon can be used either as a pontoon on a bridge or as a boat: Its outside dimensions are 21’1” x 5’1” x 2’6.5” in depth; its weight is 7cwt 1qr 0lbs., and its tonnage 9.685 tons. In horizontal section it is rectangular, its sides are nearly straight and vertical, and its ends rounded. The framework, which is very light, is of yellow deal and rock elm, the straight parts being made of the former, and the bent of the latter. The frame is boarded over with yellow pine, and each side of the boarding covered with canvas attached by India rubber solvent. The canvas is covered with marine glue before the pontoon is painted, and the bottom protected by four longitudinal ribs shod with iron friction plates. The pontoon has eight wooden handles along each side, about half way up, six attached by rope grummets and two by wire, the latter serving as eyes to receive lashing ropes, it has also a ring at each end for a cable, and is fitted with four rowlocks along the gunwale at each side, and at each end with one for a steering oar; it also has fitments for securing the saddle beam."

There is an Illustrated London News engraving entitled “The Zulu War : New trestle and pontoon bridge over the Tugela River”. This illustration has appeared in a number of recent publications (e.g. The 1879 Zulu War through the eyes of the Illustrated London News compiled by Ron Lock & Peter Quantrillon, page 204). However, if you want to see exactly what one looked like, there is a large scale model of one in the RE Museum in Chatham (probably originally used for instructional purposes), plus a model of the Mk I pontoon. The Mk II is on its wagon.

Blood Pontoon Mark II - as seen at the RE Museum

Pontooning during the Zulu War - 1879

The Pontoon equipment had been sent to South Africa with 2 Field Company RE, though because it had not arrived on the Walmer Castle (with the Company) as expected on the 3rd January 1879, there is reference to Lieutenant Hayes and 20 men (of 2 Field Company RE) being left behind at Durban to receive it. However, the delay in receiving it can not have been long as Captain Warren Wynne, Officer Commanding (OC) 2 Field Company, mentions in his diary on the 7th January 1879 that:

“The stores etc of half a pontoon troop, besides other bridge equipment, follow for me in two or three days time.”

The crossing of the Tugela was achieved by Lieutenant Main (2 Field Company RE) constructing a pont (ferry) and barrel raft. It is not clear if the Pontoon Troop crossed the Tugela with Pearson’ column. It is likely it was left in the vicinity of Fort Pearson.

The pontoon bridge across the Tugela was not constructed until June 1879 when it replaced the Pont. Construction was overseen by Captain Bindon Blood (its designer) who had arrived with his 30 Field Company RE as reinforcements for the second invasion.

Four Score Years and Ten Blood B (1933)

Links to further reading:

Corps History Part 7 - Engineers and the Early Victorian Wars

Campaign History - Royal Engineers and the Zulu War

Article - Military Bridging

Biography of Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard VC

Biography of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony William Durnford

Biography of Driver Charles John Robson, Chard's Batman at Rorke's Drift

Engineering History - Engineer Field Company 1877

Online Exhibtion - Photographs of the Zulu War 1879