Robert Gordon Nicol (1858-1934), harbour engineer to Aberdeen Harbour
1934 Chartered civil engineer; died in Aberdeen[1]
1934 Obituary [2]
ROBERT GORDON NICOL, O.B.E., was born at Dumbarton in 1858, and received his education at Aberdeen Grammar School, afterwards studying engineering at the Mechanics' Institute and at the University of Aberdeen.
In 1875 he entered the works of Messrs. Blaikie Brothers as an apprentice, serving until 1880, when he entered the drawing office.
His long connexion with the harbour of Aberdeen commenced in 1883, when he was appointed assistant engineer to the Harbour Commissioners. He was promoted to be chief assistant engineer in 1887, becoming harbour engineer in 1895. In the thirty-six years during which he held this position Mr. Nicol was responsible for several most important improvements, including the reconstruction of Regent Bridge, completed in 1904.
Amongst other works which he carried out were the widening of quays and the construction of goods sheds, the construction of River Dee Dock No. 1, the provision of three floating docks, the deepening of the navigation channel and tidal harbour, the modernizing of the dredging plant, and the reconstruction of the harbour workshops. In addition the accommodation for the fishing industry was extended.
In 1913 he was appointed consulting engineer to the Fishery Board for Scotland, and in this capacity he submitted several reports concerned with sea works and harbour improvements. For his services in the efficient maintenance of the port of Aberdeen during the War he was awarded the O.B.E.
He was actively interested in technical education and was a governor of Robert Gordon's Technical College, being for several years convener of the engineering committee of the governors of the technical colleges. In addition he was the founder and first president of the Aberdeen Mechanical Society.
He retired in 1931, but his services as a consultant were retained by the Harbour Commissioners. Mr. Nicol was for over thirty-five years an elder in the United Free Church of Scotland.
He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1899, and was also a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
His death occurred in Aberdeen on 25th September 1934.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ National probate index
- ↑ 1934 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Obituaries