James Waddell (of Glasgow)
James Waddell (c1851-1924)
1924 Obituary[1]
"THE LATE MR. JAMES WADDELL.
A constructional engineer of exceptional experience, and one whose loss will be deeply felt, passed away, when Mr. James Waddell died at his home, Moray-place, Strathbungo, Glasgow, on Thursday, March 6, in his 73rd year. All who knew him were keenly appreciative of his worth and ability.
Mr. Waddell was educated at the High School of Glasgow and received his scientific training in the University of Glasgow. The succeeding four years, from 1871 to 1875, were spent in pupilage to Mr. James Deas, the Chief Engineer of the Clyde Navigation Trust. This period was one of great activity in development on the river and all the work in surveying, preparation of parliamentary papers and plans, and the start of the actual construction on the Queen’s Dock was then undertaken. In this work Mr. Waddell obtained a most extensive experience. When his pupilage was over he was retained as resident engineer on the fourth contract at the Queen’s Dock and acted in a similar capacity on behalf of his chief, in the erection of the large coaling cranes at the Glasgow terminus quay. Later he carried out the engineering work on many large contracts for the Morrison and Mason Company, Limited, of Glasgow. In 1878 he erected the Carlisle Citadel Station for which Messrs. Blyth and Westland, of Edinburgh, were the consulting engineers. From that work he went back to Glasgow to undertake railway construction under contracts with the Glasgow and South Western Railway.
The years from 1882 to 1887 he spent in the construction of the Mugdock tunnel contract and other work in connection with the Loch Katrine water works for the supply of the city of Glasgow. From this undertaking he proceeded south to carry out similar contracts in engineering work for the city of Manchester scheme to obtain water from Thirlmere. He then erected the Rutherglen bridge over the river Clyde and the aqueduct from the source of the river Nidd to Bradford: He later reconstructed Telford’s well-known bridge at Glasgow, known as the Jamaica Bridge, built the tidal weir across the Clyde and undertook much important work for the Glasgow sewage scheme. In conjunction with Sir William Arrol and Company, he built the Clyde railway bridge for the Caledonian Railway. He was elected a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1906. With all his wealth of experience, he remained a modest but untiring worker. Throughout Mr. Waddell’s career his successful work marked him as a painstaking and thorough engineer, while he won for himself the affection of all who were in any way associated with him."