ALEXANDER C. KIRK, M.I.C.E.
MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS; OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, AND OF THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS AND SHIPBUILDERS IN SCOTLAND.
Born in the year 1830, at the Manse of Barry, Forfarshire, of which parish his father was minister. Received his education at the Burgh School of Arbroath, and subsequently at the University of Edinburgh. After serving the customary term of apprenticeship, as an engineer, with Mr Robert Napier of the Vulcan Foundry, Glasgow, was for several years in the drawing office of Messrs Maudsley Sons & Field, London. Removed from London to Bathgate as manager of Young’s Parafin Oil Works, first at Bathgate and then at West Calder, during which period he introduced many improvements in the apparatus employed, notably in shale breaking and cooling machinery. About 1870 became manager of the Engineering Department in the works of Messrs John Elder & Co., Glasgow, a post which he held till 1877, when, along with his present partners, he purchased the celebrated Shipbuilding & Engineering Works, Govan, established and so long carried on by the Napier family, and still conducted under the old designation of Robert Napier & Sons. While with Messrs Elder & Co., MrKirkintroduced the principle of triple expansion in marine engines, a departure which has since been followed with notable success in several of the larger vessels turned out by Messrs R. Napier & Sons, fuller reference to which is made in the body of this work.
Born in the year 1830, at the Manse of Barry, Forfarshire, of which parish his father was minister. Received his education at the Burgh School of Arbroath, and subsequently at the University of Edinburgh. After serving the customary term of apprenticeship, as an engineer, with Mr Robert Napier of the Vulcan Foundry, Glasgow, was for several years in the drawing office of Messrs Maudsley Sons & Field, London. Removed from London to Bathgate as manager of Young’s Parafin Oil Works, first at Bathgate and then at West Calder, during which period he introduced many improvements in the apparatus employed, notably in shale breaking and cooling machinery. About 1870 became manager of the Engineering Department in the works of Messrs John Elder & Co., Glasgow, a post which he held till 1877, when, along with his present partners, he purchased the celebrated Shipbuilding & Engineering Works, Govan, established and so long carried on by the Napier family, and still conducted under the old designation of Robert Napier & Sons. While with Messrs Elder & Co., MrKirkintroduced the principle of triple expansion in marine engines, a departure which has since been followed with notable success in several of the larger vessels turned out by Messrs R. Napier & Sons, fuller reference to which is made in the body of this work.
Hand-writtenAlexander C. Kirk (signature)INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & Co. LONDON.
Alexander C. Kirk (signature)INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & Co. LONDON.