George Thomson (1858-1918)
George Thomson (1858-1918)
1918 Obituary [1]
GEORGE THOMSON was born at Aberdeen on 8th February 1858.
He was educated at the Free South Church School and the Mechanics' Institute, Aberdeen, and served an apprenticeship of four years at the Albion Iron Works, of the same city.
On its completion in 1878 he was engaged as draughtsman in the works of W. McKinnon and Co., Spring Garden Iron Works, Aberdeen, and in the following year he worked in a similar position in the paper works of C. Davidson and Son, Mugie Moss.
In 1882 he became chief draughtsman to Thomson, Sons and Co., Douglas Foundry, Dundee, and three years later he transferred his services to G. and W. Bertram, Edinburgh, with whom he stayed until 1888 when he went as marine engineer to Lees, Anderson and Co., Glasgow.
Owing to indifferent health he went to South Africa in 1889, and obtained the appointment of principal mechanical engineer and draughtsman to the engineer of the Natal Government Harbour Works at Port Natal, where he superintended the erection of large hydraulic and electric lighting plant, and general harbour equipment.
His latest work was in connexion with the design and construction of the new belt-conveyor coaling appliances now in operation at Port Natal.
Early in 1914 he proceeded to London to superintend the construction of this plant on behalf of the Union Government of South Africa, but, owing to unforeseen delays mused by the outbreak of war, the final shipment was not dispatched until November 1916.
The strain and worry, and the English climate, undermined his constitution, and his death took place on 10th March 1918, at the age of sixty.
He was elected a Member of this Institution in 1900.