George Smith (1792-1869)
George Smith (1792-1869), CE, of Belfast Harbour
1869 Obituary[1]
DEATH OF MR. GEORGE SMITH, C.E., of Belfast. - We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. George Smith, who for twenty-four years was the resident engineer of the Belfast harbour. The late Mr. Smith was appointed harbour-engineer in 1839, on the recommendat1on of Messrs. Walker and Burges, the eminent engineers, who at that time designed some improvements in the harbour. Mr. Smith was previously engineer of the Leeds and Selby Railway. It was under his superintendence that the new cut at the Queen's Island and the channel between the Twin Islands were formed, the contractor being the late Mr. Dargan. The Queen's Quay, Clarendon Dock, and all the timber wharfs on the Down and Antrim sides of the river were also constructed under his superintendence. The filling up of the old docks - Limekiln Dock running into Waring-street, Ritchie's Dock up to Great George's-street, and Town Dock up High-street, to where the Albert memorial now stands, and all the extensive improvements in connection therewith, were executed by him. He was the architect of the new harbour office; he designed the lighthouse on Holywood Bank; it was under his superintendence that the patent slip was constructed; he carried out all reclamation improvements on the County Down side of the river; and the extensive ranges of sheds along the quays were all planned and executed by Mr. Smith. Indeed, all the great improvements in the harbour of Belfast completed during the last thirty years were carried out under his management. From failing health he became unable to continue the more active duties of his office, and in 1863 he was appointed consulting engineer to the harbour board. For some time past increasing infirmities and age proved too much for him, and on Friday last he expired at the age of seventy-seven, leaving behind him the esteem and respect of all who knew him, and the reputation of as faithful, diligent, and capable a public officer as ever filled an important post.