Ranson Colecome Batterbee
Ranson Colecome Batterbee (1838-1888)
1889 Obituary [1]
RANSON COLECOME BATTEREEE, eldest son of the late Joseph Batterbee, of Reigate, was born on the 10th of March, 1838.
In 1869 he was articled for three years to Mr. Robert Sinclair, then Engineer-in-Chief of the Eastern Counties (now Great Eastern) Railway.
On the completion of his pupilage, Mr. Batterbee remained with Mr. Sinclair, and with his successor, Mr. H. W. Davis, for ten years.
He left the Great Eastern Company in 1872 to become manager of the Brazilian Street Railway Company’s line of tramway from Recife to Caxanga. This undertaking, which was of a peculiar nature, had fallen into disrepute, and it required considerable tact and firmness to reinstate it. Mr. Batterbee gave great satisfaction in a very difficult position, his management being distinguished by sound good sense, attention to the interests both of the Company and the public, and strict integrity.
About 1876 Mr. Batterbee returned to England, and did not resume professional employment until 1883, when he went to Parahyba de Korte, also in Brazil, as Resident Engineer of the Conde d‘Eu Railway. Here, again, a difficult task was imposed upon him, owing to disputes between the Company and the Contractors for the line. The worry and responsibility predisposed him to sickness, and an attack of heat apoplexy intervening, he was obliged to come home eighteen months later completely prostrated.
Recovering his health, he returned to Brazil in October 1884, and remained in charge of the line till April 1885, when, his health again giving way, he was compelled to resign his appointment. From that time till his death, on the 15th of July, 1888, Mr. Batterbee, though unable to engage in active work, took part in the settlement of the contract accounts, and performed other duties for the Company in London up to the end of 1887.
Mr. Batterbee was intelligent, courteous, and amiable, zealous in the discharge of his duties, and honourable in all his proceedings, and was much and deservedly esteemed by those with whom he came in contact. He was elected an Associate Member on the 5th of December, 1882
1888 Obituary.[2]