Alexander Arthur Dalrymple Smith
Alexander Arthur Dalrymple Smith (1869-1906)
1907 Obituary [1]
ALEXANDER ARTHUR DALRYMPLE SMITH died at Sunderland on the 25th January, 1906, aged 36. The son of the late Mr. Alexander Smith, shipowner, of Sunderland, he was born on the 28th March, 1869, and received his scientific training at the Durham College of Science, obtaining distinction in mathematics.
He graduated in Science, with honours in engineering, in the University of Durham in 1893 and obtained a Master’s degree two years later.
In 1885 he was articled to Mr. H. H. Wake, of Sunderland, Engineer-in-chief to the River Wear Commissioners, into whose service Mr. Smith passed on completing his pupilage, and was engaged under him on the construction of the New South Pier.
In 1897 he was transferred to the Roker Pier Works, comprising the construction of the pier and a round-head in deep water, founded on a caisson weighing 10,000 tons, and surmounted by a lighthouse. These works were carried out by Mr. Smith, under the direction of Mr. Wake, and without the intervention of a contractor.
On their completion in 1904, Mr. Smith was appointed Chief Assistant Engineer to the River Wear Commissioners, with full power and authority to act in the absence of the Chief Engineer in all matters relating to his department. The sound engineering skill and indefatigable industry which he brought to the discharge of his professional duties, not less than histerling personal quaIities, augured well for the future, and rendered his early death the greater loss.
Mr. Smith was elected an Associate Member of The Institution on the 4th December, 1894, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 29th April, 1902.