George Dodd
Surveyor and Civil-Engineer
Born in Newcastle, son of Ralph Dodd[1]
1782 Baptised
Served in the Royal Navy
1811 Bankrupt. '...George Dodd, late of Vauxhall Place, South Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, Surveyor, Civil-Engineer, Dealer and Chapman, and he being declared a Bankrupt...'[2]
c.1814 He was largely responsible for the introduction of steam power on The Thames. He was also the first Englishman to prove the practicability of navigating steam ships on the high seas. He purchased a Yarmouth-built boat of 50 tons, named her the Richmond, and employed Henry Maudslay to make a 10-horse power engine for her. The Richmond was the first steam boat fitted by Maudslay.
1815 Acquired the Argyle on the Clyde, re-named her the Thames, and sailed her to London, before putting her to work on the London to Margate service[3]
1815 During the summer of 1815 he plied between Queenhithe and Richmond, using the Richmond which at once proved a great success.
Between 1816 and 1818 he designed the machinery for the Majesta and the Victory steamers which were built by Dickson and used to compete on the Margate service.
Patent on means of extinguishing fires at sea
1827 Died in London
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer 1881/11/11
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:28 May 1811 Issue:16490 Page:1010
- ↑ The Engineer 1867/10/04
- Biography of George Dodd, ODNB