We were delighted to find this reference to George Double, builder of Boxted bridge, whilst working as manager for Messrs Dixon and Thorne during the building of Hammersmith Suspension bridge in the West London Observer, Saturday 23rd April 1887:
....'The old piers of the chain towers still remaining, the central span is the same as in the old bridge, viz, 400 feet2 1/4 inches; the span from the Surrey shore to the south pier is 145 feet 6 inches. The towers are lattice structures of angle iron to support the chain saddles at a height above the roadway of 40 feet, the chains having a curve of 35 feet version. The width of the roadway is 30 feet and there is a footpath, 6 feet wide on each side, protected by an ironwork fencing which seems hardly high enough. A clear headway is given above high water of 15 feet. Vast foundations were laid in deep pits at the north and south ends of the bridge, some ten thousand cube yards of concrete being used, and there is heavy iron anchorage for the purpose of securing the ends of the four chains. The anchorages are at a depth of about 30 feet below the surface at the approaches of the roads. The cost of the new bridge has been about £85,000, and it has been erected with remarkable expedition under the supervision of Mr. George Double, the energetic manager of Messrs. Dixon and Thorne, the building having taken just two years, reckoning from the date of commencement'.