William Elsdon
Encyclopedia
William Elsdon) was an English and Australian civil engineer
. He was also an architect
and railway
engineer
.
near Lemington
, Northumberland. In the 1851 census, he was recorded as a 21 year old engine-wright, lodging at 6 Orchard Street, St Johns, Newcastle (fol 19 p. 30). His father Robert Elsdon was also an engineer living in Newburn. He was educated at local schools (add details). He had at least one daughter Cecilia Reid, who married Edward George, youngest son of the late Douglas T. Kilburn in East Melbourne in 1889.
He was appointed to the Hobson's Bay Railway company
in Melbourne, Australia on 1 May 1854 as their chief engineer, "upon the recommendation of George Stephenson
, with whom he served his time as a civil engineer at Newcastle Upon Tyne
". He replaced the original engineer, James Moore
(who had been considered incompetent) in December 1854. He remained in this post for 25 years and during this time he undertook the designs for the St.Kilda branch line, including three bluestone bridges built in 1857. He also carried out private practice in Melbourne designing a number of civic works including the Fitzroy Gasworks, City Abattoirs and some large public buildings. He took out a patent for the construction of rail and road carriages and improved wheel tires,' and an improvement in railway crossings, adapting them to such carriages in England on 21 September 1863, and was elected as a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
on 5 April 1870.
Elsdon also undertook the works for linking the Hobson's Bay and Melbourne Suburban Railways in 1865, through construction of a tunnel under Swanston Street, and setting the location for Melbourne's main suburban railway terminus at Flinders Street Station. He also envisaged a connection with the Spencer Street station, initially supervising construction of a ground level branch line in 1879, before the Flinders Street Viaduct
was built.In 1871 he took a year's absence due to over-strain in his profession, spending the time visiting England and the continent. On his return he prepared a report on the progress of railways in Europe at the request of the Victorian Government.
He travelled on behalf of the Victorian Railways with Thomas Higginbotham, to England, Europe, Russia and the USA in order to examine railway construction in these places, and reported that more economical methods could be used to advantage. This ushered in a new phase of construction of the 'light lines', with less elaborate structures, steeper grades and tighter curves to reduce the earthworks required. He was presented with an elaborate silver server set in 1869, in recognition of his contribution to railways in Victoria.
Following the takeover of the private Hobson's Bay Railway Company by the Victorian Government railway department, Elsdon was appointed General Manager and Engineer-in-Chief of the Victorian Railways
on the sudden death of Thomas Higginbotham in 1880. During this time he prepared designs for the Rosedale Railway Station in Gippsland. He subsequently retired in 1882 on political grounds during a period of turmoil with the former Engineer-in-Chief Robert Watson
being reinstated. Elsdon then became involved in coal-mining at Newcastle, New South Wales
, served on several Royal Commissions, filled the role of acting City Surveyor for the City of Melbourne
for three years.
Elsdon died in Melbourne on 3 March 1904 at the age of 74.
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
. He was also an architect
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and railway
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
.
Family life and education
William Elsdon was born c1829-30 in NewburnNewburn
Newburn is a semi rural village, parish, electoral ward and former urban district in western Tyne and Wear, North East England. Situated on the banks of the River Tyne, it is built rising up the valley from the river...
near Lemington
Lemington
Lemington is a housing area and electoral ward of Newcastle upon Tyne in North East England.-History:Lemington has a strong industrial history. It is famous for its brick glassworks cone, built in 1787...
, Northumberland. In the 1851 census, he was recorded as a 21 year old engine-wright, lodging at 6 Orchard Street, St Johns, Newcastle (fol 19 p. 30). His father Robert Elsdon was also an engineer living in Newburn. He was educated at local schools (add details). He had at least one daughter Cecilia Reid, who married Edward George, youngest son of the late Douglas T. Kilburn in East Melbourne in 1889.
Training and career
In the 1850s Elsdon commenced his professional career when he was articled to the English engineering firm of Messrs Robert Stephenson & Co.He was appointed to the Hobson's Bay Railway company
Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company
The Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. The company was founded on 20 January 1853 to build Australia's first railway broad gauge line from Melbourne to the port of Sandridge...
in Melbourne, Australia on 1 May 1854 as their chief engineer, "upon the recommendation of George Stephenson
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer who built the first public railway line in the world to use steam locomotives...
, with whom he served his time as a civil engineer at Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
". He replaced the original engineer, James Moore
James Moore (engineer)
James Moore was an engineer responsible for the first steam railway to operate in Australia.James Moore C.E. was a nephew of Sir William Cubitt, under whom he was engaged on the South Eastern and Great Northern railways in Britain, and presumably learnt his trade there...
(who had been considered incompetent) in December 1854. He remained in this post for 25 years and during this time he undertook the designs for the St.Kilda branch line, including three bluestone bridges built in 1857. He also carried out private practice in Melbourne designing a number of civic works including the Fitzroy Gasworks, City Abattoirs and some large public buildings. He took out a patent for the construction of rail and road carriages and improved wheel tires,' and an improvement in railway crossings, adapting them to such carriages in England on 21 September 1863, and was elected as a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded on 2 January 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers is an independent professional association, based in central London, representing civil engineering. Like its early membership, the majority of its current members are British engineers, but it also has members in more than 150...
on 5 April 1870.
Elsdon also undertook the works for linking the Hobson's Bay and Melbourne Suburban Railways in 1865, through construction of a tunnel under Swanston Street, and setting the location for Melbourne's main suburban railway terminus at Flinders Street Station. He also envisaged a connection with the Spencer Street station, initially supervising construction of a ground level branch line in 1879, before the Flinders Street Viaduct
Flinders Street Viaduct
The Flinders Street Viaduct is a railway bridge in Melbourne, Australia. Made up of six tracks of varying ages, it links Flinders Street Station to Southern Cross Station and forms the main link between the eastern and western parts of the Victorian rail network.The viaduct takes a twisted path,...
was built.In 1871 he took a year's absence due to over-strain in his profession, spending the time visiting England and the continent. On his return he prepared a report on the progress of railways in Europe at the request of the Victorian Government.
He travelled on behalf of the Victorian Railways with Thomas Higginbotham, to England, Europe, Russia and the USA in order to examine railway construction in these places, and reported that more economical methods could be used to advantage. This ushered in a new phase of construction of the 'light lines', with less elaborate structures, steeper grades and tighter curves to reduce the earthworks required. He was presented with an elaborate silver server set in 1869, in recognition of his contribution to railways in Victoria.
Following the takeover of the private Hobson's Bay Railway Company by the Victorian Government railway department, Elsdon was appointed General Manager and Engineer-in-Chief of the Victorian Railways
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations...
on the sudden death of Thomas Higginbotham in 1880. During this time he prepared designs for the Rosedale Railway Station in Gippsland. He subsequently retired in 1882 on political grounds during a period of turmoil with the former Engineer-in-Chief Robert Watson
Robert Watson (engineer)
Robert Watson was an English and Australian civil engineer. He was also a surveyor and railway engineer.-Family life and education:...
being reinstated. Elsdon then became involved in coal-mining at Newcastle, New South Wales
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, served on several Royal Commissions, filled the role of acting City Surveyor for the City of Melbourne
City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central city area of Melbourne. The city has an area of 36 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 93,105 people. The city's motto is "Vires acquirit eundo" which means "She gathers strength as she...
for three years.
Elsdon died in Melbourne on 3 March 1904 at the age of 74.