George Walker (1852-1903)
George Walker (1852-1903)
1904 Obituary [1]
GEORGE WALKER was born at Soerabaya, Java, on 16th September 1852.
He was educated at Rotterdam and at Ghent.
His engineering training began as an apprentice at Messrs. Duncan Christie's factory at Delftshaven, near Rotterdam, where he remained about five years.
He then proceeded to Glasgow, where he was employed at Messrs. Barclay, Curle and Co.'s Works for some years.
Subsequently, he was for a lengthy period with Messrs. Christie, Bollet and Co., Rotterdam, designing marine-engines and directing their marine-engine department.
In 1875 he started business in London on his own account as consulting engineer and naval architect. He designed and superintended the construction of several shallow-draught, stern-wheel steamers for Africa, also some fast fruit-steamers with special ventilating arrangements. He was also in much request as an expert witness in law cases, where he showed exceptional ability.
In April 1903 he had a severe illness, lasting several months, and partly recovered his strength; but, recommencing work again too soon, his death took place in London, after undergoing an operation for appendicitis, on 19th November 1903, at the age of fifty-one.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1875.