George Buchanan (1827-1897)
George Buchanan (1827-1897)
Civil Engineer.
Died 1897 aged 70.[1]
1897 Obituary [2]
GEORGE BUCHANAN, born on the 21st May, 1827, obtained his engineering training in the office of Messrs. Robinson & Sons, of Fenchurch Street, and subsequently at the works of Messrs. Duffus & Co., of Aberdeen.
In 1845 he went to Bengal, where he was employed for three years in erecting machinery on sugar estates, and afterwards for twelve months in Calcutta, on engine work for the Ganges Steam Navigation Company.
He was next for five years in Java, first as Engineer to the Netherlands India Steamship Company, and subsequently erecting machinery on sugar estates.
Mr. Buchanan began to practise on his own account in London in 1854, and from that time was engaged in the design and construction of machinery specially suited for colonial use.
Between 1858 and 1860 he was employed on the construction of the railway from Durban to Port Natal, and from 1863 to 1867 he was responsible for the design and construction of steamers, dredgers, rice and sugar factories for the King of Siam, while several iron bridges, piers, and wharves were erected from his designs in Burma and in Siam.
Mr. Buchanan made a special study of machinery for sugar factories, in which he effected great improvements, and he designed and superintended the erection of plant for the treatment of sugar in Spain, India, South America and the West Indies. At the Paris Exhibition of 1878 he obtained the first prize and only gold medal for sugar machinery in the British section.
Mr. Buchanan died at his residence, Towerfields, Eeston, Kent, on the 7th June, 1897. Apart from his professional duties, he took a lively interest in charitable and philanthropic work, and he devoted much time and money to improving the neighbourhood of Keston, amongst other things, planting with trees a portion of the road between that place and Bromley.
Mr. Buchanan was elected an Associate on the 5th May, 1857, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 31st March, 1885.
1897 Obituary [3]
...The deceased gentleman had been serioualy ill from paralysis for twelve months. Mr. Buchanan is said to have constructed the first railway in South Africa, between Durban and Port Natal. He also erected iron bridges, wharves &c., for the Indian Government, iron piers in British Burmah and rice and sugar factories for the King of Siam. He made a special study of sugar machinery, which he brought to a high state of perfection.
In 1878 at the...[More]