Obituary. Stephen Robinson, 1794-1881

312 STEPHEN ROBINSON. [Memoirs.

MR. STEPHEN ROBINSON was the only son of Mr. John Robin- son, colliery engineer, and was born at Hepscott, near Morpeth, in the year 1794. He had not the advantage of much schooling in youth ; for when only twelve years of age, the nlan in charge of a winding engine havingdied, his father withdrew himfrom school, temporarily as intended, to work the engine, ancl he never went back. In course of time, however, he began to feel the need of education, and applied himself, with such casual assistance as he could procure, and attained a high proficiency in such branches as ho conceived to be necessary for the career proposed for himself. Subsequently he became professionally connected withseveral collierics, both in Northumberland ‘and Durham, more especially with the extensive pit works at Old Hetton. He was an acknow- ledged authority on mining matters, and his services were often called into requisition for the adjustment of tradc differences, and in the solution of mechanical problems. On one occasion he acted as arbitrator between the late Lord Londonderry and the South Hetton Coal Company. He was a personal friend of thelate Mr. Joseph Pease, of Darlington, and was frequently consulted by him on questions of engineering import; and he was known to take a most lively ancl practicalinterest in the development of the railway system in the Korth. He was a friend ancl contemporary of George Stephenson,who worked for a time as an engineman under his father, and Mr. Stephen Robinson’s memory was richly stored with recollections of theearly struggles of thatman of genius. On takingup his residence at Hartlepool, he was ap- pointed lecturer on mechanics at Durham College, to which he paid weekly visits. His connection withHartlepool dates from the year 1834. His repute as an engineer was then firmly established ; and it steadily advanced, bringing him largely into inter- course withthe leading members of his profession. Among his closest friends was Mr. John Budclle, one of the busiest and cleverestcolliery viewers ofhis! time. About theyear 1845, Nr. Robinson was consulted by the direetors of the Tag vale Bailway as to the bestmethod of providing for the loading of coals at the Bute dock, Cardiff, whichwere then brought down bycanal boats, and putinto the ships by means of barrows wheeled along a plank; and he designed a system of mechanical appliances by which the coals were conveyed in 1O-ton wagons

This notice is mainly a reproduction of one contributed to the “ South Durham and Cleveland Mercury,” Nov. 19, 1851, by Mr. Robinson’s cousin and successor, Mr. F. G. Morris.

along staithes, which wagons were lowered to the ship, and at a certain point sloped from front to back so as to allow the coals to slide into the hold. The contrivance gave complete satisfaction ; ancl he was highly complimcnted, both by the directors, and some of hisbrother engineers,among themhis old friend George Stephenson,who inspected the work.Kear the same time, the late Mr. Ralph ’Ward-Jackson wasendeavouring to procure it c*mnection withHartlepool for the Clarence Railway;and Mr. liobinson proposed to the directors of the Hartlepool Railway and Dock Company a branchto some point of the Clarence near Billingham. He hadwith much pains formulateda thoroughly practicaland practicable scheme ; buthis Board declined the enterprise, ancl Nr. Jackson went on. Mr. Bobinson evermani- fested a keen interestin headlandprotection, ancl manyyears ago prepared a plan of his own. He designed the lighthouse on theHeugh promontory. Thelight, as may beknown, is con- structed on Frcsnel’s principle, and it was the first lighthouse in the kingdom lightedwith gas. In conjunction withthe late Mr. James Walker, C.E., of London, he designed the new pier at Hartlepool, which pier isnow being extended on the lines sketched by him nearly thirty yearsago-the plan having been set aside in 1853 when partially executed, and again resumed under authority of a special Parliamentary enactment, This was in his capacity as residentengineer to the Port and Harbour Commissioners. As engineer to the Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company he con- structedthe Victoria Dock, which was designed by Sir John Itennie, whose plans, however, were modified by Mr. Robinson to make then1 fit with the conditions found to exist. His services to the town of his adoption were many and great ; and it is not surprisingthat his fellow-townsmen should delightto do him honour. Accordingly, inthe winter of 1852, he waspresented with a valuable oil painting of himself, the work of Burlinson, which was givcn, as the inscription says, together with a silver cake basket, in testimony of his public services, and of esteem for his private character. When the borough came under the Muni- cipal Act in 1861, he was elected its first Mayor, and was made an alderman at the same time. In 1858-0 he was elected Mayor for two years in succession. And it is noteworthy that every poll in which he took part landed him at the head. Mr. Robinson was an activesupporter of allthe social institutions of the borough. During one of his mayoralties he was placed on the Commission of the Peace for the borough, and subsequently wasmade a county justice. For many years he acted as one of the county auditors to

Quarter Sessions. By virtue of his position as a county magistrate hesat in the meetings of the Guardians,and for manyyears officiatedas chairman. He was also for some time a member of Smith‘sCharity Trust, served on the Stockton andHartlepool Highway Board,and until his demiseretained his seat as a member of the Burial Board. In politics he was a sincere Liberal, and in religion an attached lnember of the Established Church. Mr. Robinson’s death, which occurred on the 15th of Novembcr, 1881, resulted in some measurefrom infirmities induced by an ’ accident sustained thirteen years before, and which increasing age prevented his rallying from. His funeral was of a public character, and gave occasion of the manifestations of sincere respect from all classes in Hartlepool. Mr. Robinsonwas elected a Member on the 6th of Fcbruary, 1844, but hisconstant residence inthe countryprevented his taking any part in theproceedings.

MR. CHARLESDAVIES wasborn at Welshpool, in Montgo- meryshire, on the 9th February, 1818, and commenced his profes- sional career as a Civil Engineer in 1833, on the Montgomeryshirc Canal,under Mr. JamcsSword, with whom heserved eighteen months ; he was next cmployed on the Ordnance Survey in Wales, for six months in 1836. In 1836 he joined the Horseley Company’s Ironworks in Staffordshire, and served a regular apprenticeship for five years,under Mr. Isaac Dodds, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E. Whilc engineer for these works, and subsequently manager forthe Holmes Engine and Railway Plant Works, by which means he gained a thorough knowledge in practical mechanics, and much experience in bridgework, as at this time theHorseley Company mere cngaged in the heaviest cast-iron bridge between Warrington and London. After leaving the Horseley Works, Mr. Davies still continued with Mr. Dodds as his draughtsman, manager, and surveyorin themaking, and afterwards working of the Sheffield and Rotherham and part of the MidlandRailways ; heafterwards had the whole of Mr. Dodds’ manufacturingbusiness to conduct. From 1840 to 1846, Mr. Davies was employed with &Iessrs. John Stephenson and Co. on the Midland and other railways, as engineer and architect, and in keeping accounts ; after his severance with them in 1846, he entered Mr. Thomas Brassey’s office in London, as his secretary, and remained in this post for about four months, when he received an appointment as his agent, on the construction of the Bucking-