John Champney Bothams (1822-1903)
1903 Obituary [1]
JOHN CHAMPNEY BOTHAMS, born on the 25th January, 1822, at Upton, Bucks, was educated at University College School, London, and was subsequently articled to Henry Austin, under whom he was engaged on the construction of the London and Blackwall Railway. Residing with his master, he frequently met Charles Dickens, a sister of whom Mr. Austin had married.
On the conclusion of his articles he was employed from 1844 to 1846 in preparing surveys, plans and sections for various lines of railway, and in 1849 he entered the service of the Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers.
He acted as Resident Engineer on the construction of the Amsterdam Waterworks in 1852 to 1853,and from 1853 to 1855 in a similar capacity on the Salisbury Water and Sewerage Works.
On the completion of the latter works in 1855, Mr. Bothams was appointed Surveyor to the City of Salisbury, which post he held until his death. In that capacity he carried out, in 1884, sewage disposal works at a cost of £10,000, the process being precipitation by lime, and a new main sewer of concrete to the lower part of the city, to exclude subsoil water.
In his private capacity he designed works for the Fisherton Water Co to supply a suburban district. For the last fifteen years the greater part of his duties was discharged by his son, Mr. A. C. Bothams.
He died at his residence in Churchfields, Salisbury, on the 14th March, 1903, at the age of 81.
Mr. Bothams was elected a Member of the Institution on the 3rd February, 1880.