Alfred Stansfield Rake
Alfred Stansfield Rake (1831-1871)
1862 Alfred Stansfield Rake, Manager, Phoenix Foundry, Derby.[1] (Question whether this is correct assignment, although he did join the I Mech E that year)
1871 January 28th. Died.[2]
1872 Obituary [3]
MR. ALFRED STANSFIELD RAKE was born on the 2nd of January, 1831, at Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, and after receiving a liberal education at Birmingham, Thornbury, and Stoke Newington, commenced his professional career by entering the works of Messrs. Gilkes, Wilson, and Co., at Middlesbrough.
Having a decided preference for iron ship-building, he, on leaving Middlesbrough, was for some time engaged with the firm of Messrs. Coutts and Parkinson, at Willington Quay, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, and subsequently entered into partnership as an iron ship-builder at Middlesbrough; but the business there proving less successful than was anticipated, the partnership was dissolved.
Mr. Rake afterwards filled responsible appointments with Messrs. Dodds and Son, at Rotherham, with Messrs. R. Stephenson and Co., Newcastle, Messrs. Fairbairn and Co., Manchester, and then for two years with a firm in the west of Ireland.
On leaving Ireland, he, in 1867, commenced business on his own account in Newcastle, as a consulting engineer and naval architect, and by his assiduity and perseverance, he soon established a large and lucrative connection, and achieved an amount of success beyond his anticipations.
There is reason to think that unremitting attention to numerous professional engagements seriously undermined his health ; and the anxiety conscientiously to discharge responsible duties caused him to neglect the earlier indications of failing strength, and eventually led to his premature decease just after completing his fortieth year. His frank and generous disposition endeared him to a large circle of relatives and friends by whom he was universally beloved, and he was as much respected by those with whom he was professionally connected, but who might not all have had the privilege of his friendship.
Mr. Rake was elected an Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers on the 3rd of February, 1863.
1872 Obituary [4]
ALFRED STANSFIELD RAKE was born on 2nd January 1831 at Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, and commenced his professional course in the works of Messrs. Gilkes Wilson and Co. at Middlesbrough.
Having a decided preference for iron shipbuilding he was engaged for some time with the firm of Messrs. Coutts and Parkinson at Willington Quay near Newcastle-on-Tyne, and afterwards entered into partnership as an iron shipbuilder at Middlesbrough; but the business proving less successful than was anticipated, he retired from it, and subsequently occupied responsible situations successively with Messrs. Dodds and Son at Rotherham, Messrs. Stephenson and Co. at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Messrs. Fairbairn and Co. at Manchester, after which he was for two years with Messrs. Brown and Craig, Victoria Dockyard, near Cork.
On leaving Ireland he established himself in 1867 as a consulting engineer and naval architect in Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he soon obtained a large and advantageous connection.
His death took place on 23rd January 1871 at the age of forty, his health having failed some time previously.
He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1862.