James Robertson (c1821-1899)
Presumably the same as James Robertson (of Ardrossan)
1856 Descriptions and illustrations of designs for the application of frictional gearing by James Robertson of Ardrossan.[1]
1868 Description of Robertson's ashes ejector for steam vessels, which used a steam ejector in the stokehold.[2]
1871 'A series of experiments have just been carried out on board the Royal paddle-wheel yacht Aberta, Staff-Commander David Welch, with an invention which is calculated to remove one of the greatest sources of annoyance connected with the engineering department of which officers in charge of decks have to complain. The invention is called an "Ash-ejector," and the object of the patentee is to abolish the present cumbersome mode of hauling on deck the stoke-hole ashes in buckets and then committing them to the deep. The remedy for this nuisance, as sought to be effected by the "Ash-ejector," is embodied in a tube of metal, which runs from the stoke-hole through the ship to the upper deck, curving outwards to the side. The air in the tube being exhausted by a jet of steam, the ashes have only to be shovelled into a receptacle at the lower end of the tube, when a steam blast from the boiler forces them through the entire depth of the ship into the sea. The force of the steam was found to be so great during the trials, that huge lumps of coal placed as obstacles in the receptacle were whirled with irresistible force into the water. The experiments were superintended by Mr. Robertson, the patentee, and Mr. B.H. Sleeman, the chief engineer of the Alberta; and, if the idea succeeds, there is little doubt that the application of the "Ash-ejector " will become general throughout the navy, and the standing joke that after a ship's decks have been washed down the proper time comes for clearing the stoke-hole, will be relegated to the region of obsolete Joe Millerisms. The experiments were considered satisfactory, and are, we understand, to be shortly renewed.'[3]
1871 Claimed to have made many valveless Steam Engines as described by H. J. H. King and Co[4]
Obituary 1899[5]
"...death of Mr. James Robertson, which took place at his residence, Holleth, Westcliffe-road, Birkdale, on Sunday, the 3rd inst. Deceased, who was seventy-eight years of age, was one of the most prolific inventors of the day. He was born at Farnell, in Forfarshire, and received his training at Randolph, Elder, and Company works, Glasgow. He subsequently became a partner in the firm of the Patent Friction Gearing Company, Glasgow, and after forty years' residence in Scotland, crossed the border, and became associated with many important engineering firms in Birmingham, St. Helens, and Manchester.
He was also at one time manager of the Camlachie Foundry, Glasgow. Mainly owing to his inventive faculties, many important improvements were effected in hydraulic machinery for the manufacture of tubes of all metals, and there are few concerns in the country which do not now avail themselves of Mr. Robertson's inventions. One of his last ventures was to establish the St Helens Tube and Metal Company, which was subsequently disposed of to a Birmingham company known as Tubes, Limited. Mr. Robertson has lived quietly at Birkdale for the last two years, and his death, which was due to apoplexy, was somewhat unexpected."[6]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Practical Mechanic's Journal, Vol 1, 2nd series, April 1856- March 1857, pp.30-32
- ↑ Engineering 1868/12/25, p.573
- ↑ Hampshire Telegraph - Wednesday 25 October 1871
- ↑ The Engineer 1871/06/16
- ↑ The Engineer 1899/12/15, p599.
- ↑ The Engineer 1899/12/15