Freeman

Sir Ralph Freeman (1880 – 1950)

Sir Ralph Freeman was the Design Engineer for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Previous to this he was a consulting engineer to the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co Ltd.

After inviting worldwide tenders in 1922, the New South Wales Government received twenty proposals from six companies for the construction contract of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Cleveland Bridge Company was one of the initial six companies, however with the sudden death of their Chairman they had to withdraw their tender. As a result Freeman was given permission to take his designs to a nearby company, Dorman, Long and Co who were world renowned steel makers. On 24 March 1924 the construction contract was let to the English firm Dorman Long and Co of Middlesbrough.

John Bradfield chose Dorman, Long and Co partly because they advised in their quote that the Bridge would be fabricated at Milson’s Point Sydney by Australian workmen, therefore making the bridge an Australian bridge. Another factor considered was that Dorman, Long and Co were a British company, and it was thought to be suitable that they should be involved in the construction of a great bridge in the Commonwealth.

Based on Bradfield’s specifications, Freeman developed the designs that were used for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He submitted seven designs for Sydney, and his idea for a two-hinged arch of 503 metres was chosen by the State Government.