James Dredge, Sr.

Who is James Dredge, Sr.?

James Dredge was an English civil engineer, architect and brewer. He was born in Bath and was a brewer by trade for much of his life. He designed over 50 bridges and piers in his later years, such as the Victoria Bridge in Bath in 1836, and the Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare in 1845.

He patented the 'Taper principle' on his Birnbeck Pier. This method was based on using wrought iron suspension chains rather than cables, using inclined hangers, increasing the number of bars, starting with one at the centre and increasing by plus one along each bar's placement within the support system. This method not only weighed less weight but also diminished construction duration. This was a more common practice in suspension bridges for which he received notability. Dredge's bridge design was considered "a very significant yet relatively short-lived phase in suspension bridge development".