Henry Barcroft
Henry Barcroft (1839-1905)
1889 Civil engineer of The Glen, Newry. [1]
1905 Obituary [2]
HENRY BARCROFT was born on 6th June 1839, near Dungannon, Ireland, where his family had long been resident.
In 1867 he removed to Newry, purchasing "The Glen" demesne. From the beginning he took a lively interest in the welfare of the town, and held several important public positions. He was for a long time connected with the Bessbrook Spinning Co., in the management of which he took an active part, and it was largely owing to his efforts that the Newry and Bessbrook Tramway was constructed.
He was always interested in scientific progress, especially in the application of science to industry, and he was the inventor of a new propeller for steamers. This propeller was described in a Paper which he read before this Institution in 1894, entitled "Twin Screw-Propellers with Adjustable Immersion, fitted on Canal Boats." The subject was further discussed in a second Paper which he gave in 1897 on "Partially Immersed Screw-Propellers for Canal Boats; and the influence of Section of Waterway."
He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Co. Armagh, and had also been High Sheriff of the same county.
In 1902 he went to reside near Howth, Co. Dublin, for the benefit of his health, where his death, however, took place after a long illness on 18th November 1905, in his sixty-seventh year.
He became an Associate of this Institution in 1881.