James Russell Ross
James Russell Ross (1856-1913)
1913 Obituary [1]
JAMES RUSSELL ROSS was born at Newarthill, near Bothwell, Lanarkshire, on 9th October 1856.
He was educated at the local school and at Gartsherrie Academy, and in 1875 commenced an apprenticeship of five years with Messrs. Millar and Anderson, Vulcan Foundry, Coatbridge. During his apprenticeship he also attended technical classes in the evening, at Coatbridge, and on its completion he remained with the same firm as outside foreman.
In 1887 he became foreman engineer with Messrs. William Beardmore and Co., which position he held for six years, when he was appointed engineer manager, and this post he held until his death. He was associated with the construction of rolling mills for armour and ship plate, and was responsible for the mechanical branch of most of Messrs. Beardmore's erections since he joined them. In later years he was interested in, and was an authority on, recovery gas plants and gas-engines for power production and rolling-mill driving. He also superintended the design and erection of the first three-high gas-engine-driven rolling mill in Great Britain at the Mossend Works of Messrs. Beardmore.
His death took place suddenly, after an illness of three weeks, in Glasgow, on 4th February 1913, at the age of fifty-six.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1905.