Denis Ralph Lovell
Denis Ralph Lovell (1861-1903)
1903 Obituary [1]
DENIS RALPH LOVELL was born in Glastonbury on 25th August 1861, and was educated at a private school in Weston-super-Mare.
In 1879 he was articled to Earle's Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Hull, where he went through the various shops and the drawing office.
On the expiration of his term in 1884, he went to sea for two years as marine engineer on the Wilson Line of steamers, and then returned to Earle's Works for one year as draughtsman.
In 1887 he again went to sea for four years, and obtained a first-class Board of Trade Engineer's certificate.
On the recommendation of Mr. A. E. Seaton, general manager of Earle's Works, he went out to Brazil in 1891 to build a steam-wheel paddle-steamer on the River Sao Francisco. On its completion, he was engaged as general shop foreman on the Alagoas Railway, having full charge of all the rolling stock; and in 1896 he was promoted to be locomotive superintendent of the same railway.
On the sale of the line to the Government in 1902, he accepted a more lucrative position on the Leopoldina Railway, but after a few months' time he was compelled to return to England on account of ill-health, the result of an accident.
His death took place at Weston-super-Mare on 3rd April 1903, in his forty-second year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1900.