Bally Khal Bridge (India)
Bally Khâl or Ballee Khâl Bridge, also known as Kubudduk Bridge, near Calcutta
This entry refers to a defunct bridge of the type designed by James Dredge, Senior.
It crossed the Kubudduk River (a tributary of the Hooghly), and had a span of 175 ft between the centre of the towers, total deck length 261 ft.
The bridge was designed by Captain Goodwyn of the Royal Engineers. It collapsed shortly after completion in June 1845, when crowded with people, and over 150 lives were lost. It was rebuilt by Captain Goodwyn with stronger members where appropriate, using some of the original ironwork.
Goodwyn wrote an excellent account of his work in connection with the bridge, available online[1]. It is clear that Goodwyn was unhappy about the strength and stiffness of the original bridge when subjected to a static test load. It is not clear why he allowed it to be used. Perhaps he did not anticipate that so many people would cross it at the same time.