Henry Dangerfield
Henry Dangerfield (1844-1887)
1887 Obituary [1]
HENRY DANGERFIELD, the eldest son of Mr. Henry Dangerfield, some time Borough Surveyor of Cheltenham, was born on the 13th of December, 1844.
In 1860 he was articled to his father, with whom he remained until the latter’s death in 1863.
He then went to India, where he continued for a year the study and practice of the profession under his uncle, Mr. Edward Dangerfield, M. Inst. C.E., until he was appointed Municipal Engineer at Nagpur.
In January 1868, he entered the Public Works Department of the Government of India, and was employed as an assistant engineer on provincial works in Berar until June 1872, when he was transferred to the Nizam’s State Railway, the construction of which was just commencing. He remained on that line for upwards of five years and a half; first for a short time as assistant engineer, and subsequently as executive engineer in charge of an important division, the construction of which he carried to completion. At the opening of that line, in July 1876, he was appointed to take charge as Manager and Engineer-in-Chief.
In February 1878 he was transferred to the Holkar and Neemuch State Railways, as Superintendent of Way and Works, and he held this post till December 1880, being also manager of the line for the last two years. From December 1880 till his death, his substantive appointment was that of Manager and Engineer-in- Chief, Bhavnagar-Gondal State Railway in Kattywar; but from September 1883 to January 1585 he officiated as Manager of the Rajputana-Malwa State Railway-one of the highest and most important appointments of the Indian State Railway Administration.
During his career in India he only twice took short leave - an exceptionally strong constitution enabling him to resist the effects of the climate far longer than the majority of men; latterly, however, his health failed considerably, and at the time of his death, which occurred on board the P. and O. steamer “Assam,” on the 21st of March, 1887, he was proceeding home on furlough.
From the middle of 1876 Mr. Dangerfield’s work was mainly of an administrative character, as the chief officer of various lines; but in his last appointment, besides his open-line charge, he superintended and was responsible for the survey and construction of considerable lengths of line, comprising works of some importance. The design and execution of these reflected great credit on him and his staff, both from engineering and economical points of view.
In personal character he was essentially a strong man, uniting great energy with a firm will. He showed considerable tact in dealing with business and men; and through this, and the interest he took in the welfare of his staff, he was much liked and respected by those who served under him, and those he served. In private life, his frank and kindly character and cheery manner made him very popular generally, and something more to those who knew him intimately.
Mr. Henry Dangerfield was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 30th of May, 1576, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 23rd of May, 1882.