John Campbell McColl MacLagan
John Campbell McColl MacLagan (1886-1962)
He designed a new type of marine engine, which became known as the North British Sliding-Cylinder Engine. The engine was not a success. Only three ships, Swanley, City of Stockholm and Storsten, were fitted with main engines of this type, and all of these were eventually re-engined.
In this engine, the sealing gland and piston rod, normally required on a double-acting engine, were eliminated. The uniflow method of scavenging was developed to operate with a single piston and a sliding-cylinder to obtain the desired scavenging. The fuel valve camshaft and reversing gear were eliminated.
For much more information, see here[1]
Animation of engine here.
1939 Residing at 12 North Park Avenue, Leeds, Mechanical Engineer - Managing. With Jessie W.[2]
1962 Obituary [3]
John Campbell McColl MacLagan, who was born on 12 February, 1886, died on 14 February, 1962. After a general education at Hillhead School, Glasgow, during 1891-1902, he received practical training under Mr John Alexander, M.I.C.E., at the firm of Barclay, Curle and Co. Ltd, Glasgow, until 1907. He was appointed Engineering Draughtsman by the same Company, and stayed until 1909 when he took up a similar appointment with John Brown and Co. Ltd, Glasgow.
He returned to Barclay Curle in 1911 as a designer of large marine diesel engines, marine steam reciprocating engines and other plant, and remained until 1914.
He moved to the North British Diesel Works Ltd, Glasgow, as Chief Designer engaged on equipping the works and on the design of large marine diesel engines. He became Head of the Technical Department in 1915 and was responsible for the design of large and small marine oil engines of various designs and for the control of the technical department of the company until 1925. As Technical Manager, back again with Barclay Curle during 1925-28, he continued his work in the field of large marine steam and diesel installations. The general management of Greenwood and Batley Ltd, came under his control in 1928, with departments for steam turbines, machine tools, electrical products, textile machinery, oil mill machinery, small arms ammunition, foundries and other industries.
From 1931 he held the position of sole Managing Director of Greenwood & Batley Ltd, at Leeds, with works then at Abbey Wood, and later at Farnham, Yorkshire, and served as a director of their subsidiary company in Bradford.
Mr MacLagan’s election as Associate Member took place in 1911, and his transfer to Membership in 1933. He is survived by his widow and a married daughter
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] 'Motor Ship Swanley and its Double-acting Diesel Engine' by Andrew C. Whyte
- ↑ 1939 Register
- ↑ 1962 Institution of Civil Engineers: Obituaries