Charles William Pettit (c1866-1946)
1939 M. I. Mech.E., M.I.Struct.E. Address: The Knole, Crowhurst Battle, Sussex. Career: 1881, training, John Aird & Sons; passed through the various stages of a Contractor's business with Lucas and Aird and their associated firms, with whom he remained until 1908, when he had become one of their chief Eng. Managers; during this period engaged on many important contracts, including the Barrage across the Nile at Assiout, Newport Docks, river improvement, etc. 1908-09, engaged on construction of waterworks for the Metropolitan Water Board, London. 1910-16, Chief Constructional Engr. on two important schemes of water supply in the Gold Coast, at Accra and Secconda. 1916, received permanent appointment of Dep. Director of P.W., and from that time acted as Director of P.W. during his periods of service in the colony, occupying a seat on the Legislative Council; 1919, Sec. for Works (specially created appointment; title subsequently changed to Sec. for Transportation); Adviser on transport, including harbours, railways, roads, rivers, etc., and on provision of water, electricity, hydraulic power, etc. During latter part of service on the Gold Coast, carried through the negotiations for the hydrographic survey of the seaboard; served on many important committees, including the Mech. Trans. Committee and all the various harbour committees. Retired from the Colonial Govmt. Service in 1922, afterwards practising in London as a Consulting Engr.; 1923-25, retained by Sir John Norton Griffiths as Tech. Adviser in connection with engineering contracts; 1926, in partnership as Booth, Wilson and Pettit, as Consulting C.E., until his retirement in 1933.
1946 Obituary [1]
CHARLES WILLIAM PETTIT joined the staff of Messrs. John Aird and Sons, contractors, in 1881, and was first employed as a junior in the London office. Subsequently he was engaged as assistant engineer on works under construction and eventually became chief engineer and manager of contracts, which included works on the Nile barrage at Assiout, Egypt, and tube tunnels under the Thames for water conduits. After an association lasting twenty-seven years he severed his connection with the firm and was temporarily employed by Messrs. T. J. Moran and Company, in constructing filter beds for the Metropolitan Water Board.
In 1910 he was appointed by the Crown Agents for the Colonies secretary for works and transportation on the Gold Coast. Later his duties were extended to include those of director of public works throughout the Gold Coast, Ashanti, and the Northern Territories. He was also resident engineer in charge of the construction of waterworks.
After twelve years service he returned to England and went into practice as a consultant, his services being retained by Sir John Norton Griffiths in connection with the latter's contracting business both at home and abroad, which entailed extensive travel on his part during the next three years. He then became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Booth, Wilson and Pettit, consulting civil engineers, with whom he was associated for seven years. Latterly he had occupied the chair of the Howard Pneumatic Tool and Engineering Company, Ltd., of Eastbourne, and was also a director of Messrs. Tough and Henderson, Ltd., tug owners, London.
Mr. Pettit had been living in retirement for some years at St. Leonards-on-Sea, where his death occurred on 5th April 1946 in his eightieth year. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1906, and was transferred to Membership in 1911.