William Henry Holttum
William Henry Holttum (1851-1907)
1907 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM HENRY HOLTTUM was born at Dover on the 1st February, 1831, and served an apprenticeship of 3 years to Messrs. Ordish and Le Feuvre, of Westminster.
In 1872 he entered the office of W. Barns Kinsey, under whom, for a period of more than 12 years, he was engaged in the preparation of designs, specifications and estimates for waterworks and sewerage schemes, amongst others those at Pembroke, Petersfield, Limpsfield and Oxted, and for works of general building construction. As Mr. Kinsey’s chief assistant, he was responsible for the surveys and levels and superintended the construction of these works.
For 2 years he had charge of water-supply works and of the Thames Haven cattle landing-stage for A. L. Stride, Chief Engineer of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway.
Subsequently he superintended the sinking of a large artesian well in Aldgate, for the late Colonel Haywood, and prepared a specification and estimate, on his own designs, for the pumping and water service therefrom.
He next acted as Engineering Manager to Messrs. Le Grand and Sutcliff, artesian-well borers and contractors, advising on water supplies and superintending the construction of wells in all parts of the country.
For nearly 5 years he had charge, under Mr. A. Ross, of tunnelling works for the Great Northern Railway.
He then obtained an appointment as Surveyor in the Engineer’s Department of the London County Council, which he retained until his death. Besides surveys of sewerage outfall and other works, he designed in detail works of dock construction, river walls and street improvements.
He died on the 11th July, 1907, aged 56.
Mr. Holttum was elected an Associate Member of The Institution on the 29th May, 1883.