Frederick Colthurst Kelson
Frederick Colthurst Kelson (1831-1897)
Born the son of Joseph James Kelson
1897 Obituary [1]
FREDERICK COLTHURST KELSON was born in Bristol on 13th May 1831, being the son of Mr. Joseph Kelson, surgeon, of that city.
He was educated at Bristol College, and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Pritchard, of Gravesend.
After a varied and useful experience he entered the Royal Navy, serving as engineer from 1860 to 1865 in H.M. ships "Caradoc," "Fisgard," "Antelope," and "Donegall."
On leaving the service he was engaged for some years with Messrs. George Forrester and Co., Liverpool, until in 1869 he was appointed superintendent engineer of the home section steamers of the Cork Steamship Co., with the management of their yard and engine works at Cork.
About 1870 this company was divided into two, the Cork Steamship Co. retaining the foreign-going steamers sailing out of Liverpool, while the newly formed City of Cork Steam Packet Co. took over the cross-channel steamers sailing from Cork.
Later on the latter sold their works at Cork, and he returned to Liverpool, where he established himself as a consulting engineer. On the death of Mr. Crichton in 1878, he succeeded him as superintendent engineer of the Cork Steamship Co. During the earlier part of this time he also acted as consulting engineer to the City of Cork Steam Packet Co., designing and superintending the building of some of their steamers, as well as for other steamship owners. As a skilful, sound, and successful engineer and naval architect he was widely known and highly esteemed amongst engineers and shipbuilders.
His death occurred suddenly at his residence in Waterloo Park, Liverpool, on 10th July 1897, at the age of sixty-six.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1873.