Charles Frederick Von Bibra
Charles Frederick Von Bibra (1844-1889)
1890 Obituary [1]
CHARLES FREDERICK VON BIBRA was born in India on the 15th of November, 1844. He began his professional career as a pupil of Mr. J. B. Nelson, under whom he was employed until 1867 on various railway surveys, designs for public buildings in Central India, the Municipal Railway of Calcutta, and other works.
He then joined the staff of Brassey, Wythes and Perry, and was employed on the construction of the Chord line, East Indian Railway. Mr. von Bibra's next appointment was that of Superintendent of Drainage and Waterworks at Calcutta, under Messrs. Clarke, Anley, and Smith. While thus occupied he built the Wellington Square reservoir.
In 1869 he entered the service of the Eastern Bengal Railway Company, and was employed under Mr. (now Sir) Bradford Leslie, and Mr. Ernest Benedict, in charge of important works of construction and maintenance.
In 1870 he left the Eastern Bengal Railway, and entered into partnership with Mr. Thomas Mitchell, of Calcutta, as a contractor, and with that gentleman constructed the Porada Branch connecting the Eastern Bengal Railway with the Northern Bengal State Railways, with locomotive workshops for the latter line.
As a contractor he was also concerned in the Darjeeling Himalayan railway-bridges and warehouses for the Eastern Bengal Railway; the Northbrook Memorial Hall, Dacca, and municipal buildings at Calcutta.
In 1880 he dissolved partnership with Mr. Mitchell, and joined Mr. Robinson Souttar, as Resident Engineer and Superintendent, for the construction of the Calcutta Tramways.
On the completion of the latter undertaking, Mr. von Bibra became an extra Resident Engineer on the East Indian Railway, and was employed on special works till the end of 1887.
He then again joined Mr. Mitchell; but failing health compelled him to give up work in 1888, and, growing gradually worse, he died on the 1st of April, 1889.
Mr. von Bibra learnt his business in the school of practical experience, being one of those useful men who, born in India, have a thorough knowledge of the habits, languages, &c., of the natives. Being a gentleman by birth, nature, and education, he was invaluable in dealing with native contractors.
He joined the Institution as an Associate Member on the 4th of December, 1883.