Recent research has identified the builder of the bridge as Mr George Double (1840-1916), born in Hadleigh, whose family lived in Benton Street. It turns out that Boxted bridge was built by a very experienced and able man who worked for the foremost engineers of the day.
Not much is known yet about his early career but by September 1878, he was the work superintendent of John Dixon (1835-1891), the eminent engineer in charge of erecting Cleopatra’s Needle, London. He is described in several articles in the press from August to October 1878: “Mr Double’s practical sagacity and intelligent command of the working party greatly contributed…” and, “Into the enclosed space around the skeleton structure only those responsible for the safe raising of the obelisk were admitted. Mr Dixon, the engineer, with Mr Baker as chief of the staff, and Mr George Double, as the executive foreman, remained there throughout directing the labours of the 20 or 30 men who worked the winches that served to prevent a too sudden movement of the ponderous stone.”
In 1893 George Double was the contractor for the new pier head and landing stage for steamer ships on Clevedon Pier, Somerset, now a grade 1 listed building. The Wells Journal 9th June 1892 reported, “The work undertaken by the contractor (Mr Double) from designs of Mr Abernethy, the eminent engineer, is being carried out in a very satisfactory and expeditious manner.” The new pier head was 100 feet in length and 50 feet wide with 24 massive iron columns, from the deck to the mud was 65 feet. The new landing stage was built at an angle to the pier head in order to align with the prevailing Bristol Channel current.
Thank you all so much for signing the petition. We have made a new short film, Save our Bridge Part 2. Please feel free to share this- we are aiming for 1000 signatures and are 3/4 of the way there!
Thank you.