Alexander Charles Baddeley Moffatt
Alexander Charles Baddeley Moffatt (1841-1925) of Moffatt and Eastmead
1841 Born in London[1]
1869 Married Caroline Eliza Sanderson in Lewes[2]
1876 Left the partnership of Archibald Smith and Co
1881 Consulting engineer, lived in Lewisham[3]
1891 Hydraulic engineer, lived in Lee, London[4]
1896 Formed Moffatt and Eastmead of Westminster
1896 Became a member of the Inst of Mech Engineers[5]
1911 Alexander Charles Moffatt 70, mechanical engineer, lifts and elevators, lived in Camberwell with Caroline Eliza Moffatt 69[6]
1925 Died in Wellinborough[7]
1925 Obituary [8]
ALEXANDER CHARLES MOFFATT was born on 13th March 1841.
He received a private school education, and after serving his apprenticeship, from 1856 to 1861, with Messrs. Henry Grafton and Co., London, he entered the service of Messrs. Archibald Smith and Co., of Princes Street, London, and was advanced to a partnership in 1867, being principally engaged in the design and manufacture of cable-making machinery. He was one of the pioneers in this work, and it may be said that the advent of Ocean Telegraphy was materially advanced by his skill and initiative in the designing of machinery for cable manufacture that would reduce the cost of production sufficiently to secure financial support in the then new venture, and at the same time produce cables of adequate strength and conductivity.
In 1876 he resigned his partnership and began business as an engineer on his own account in the City of London, being still principally engaged in the design of cable-making plant, and some machines of his design are even now in existence and at work.
In 1887 Messrs. Thomas and Sons, of the Acme Hoist Works, Cardiff, appointed Mr. Moffatt as their London manager, and this position he retained until 1895, when he founded the firm of Messrs. Moffatt and Eastmead, Ltd., London, who also specialized in lifts and cranes, and particularly in the manufacture of those fitted with his self-sustaining gear, which is in use at the present time.
Upon the business being absorbed in 1909 in that of Messrs. Hammond Brothers and Champness, Mr. Moffatt looked after their interests in the London area.
In 1921 he retired from active business, and lived at Wellingborough, where he died on 8th January 1925, in his eighty-fourth year.
Throughout his long life Mr. Moffatt was indefatigable in helping others, particularly the younger members of his profession, many of whom owe their success to his timely aid and counsel.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1896.