Robert Steele
Robert Steele (1859-1913)
1913 Obituary [1]
ROBERT STEELE was born at Greenock on 28th November 1859, being the eldest son of the late Robert Steele, shipbuilder, of Greenock.
He was educated at Dr. Grenfell's School, Mostyn House, Cheshire, and afterwards at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh.
In 1877 he commenced an apprenticeship of five years in his father's firm of Robert Steele and Co., and on its completion in 1882 he became assistant yard manager for the same firm, superintending both constructional and repair work.
Three years later he was employed for a time on the West Coast of Africa, and subsequently at home on business indirectly connected with shipbuilding and engineering.
In 1887 he was appointed shipyard manager to Messrs. Archibald McMillan and Sons, Dumbarton, and later on became managing director of that firm.
He next removed to London and commenced private practice in 1889 as naval architect and consulting engineer, which be continued up to the time of his death. His work during that period included the preparation of designs and specifications for new vessels, and the superintendence during their construction.
He was superintendent engineer for Messrs. Bailey and Leetham of Hull for about five years, and consulting engineer and adviser to the South Eastern and Chatham and Dover Railways from 1895. He was also expert adviser and witness in Court on behalf of the Admiralty, English and foreign underwriters, and a large number of British and foreign shipowners, including the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.
He recently acted for the Admiralty in the case of the collision between H.M.S. "Hawke" and the S.S. "Olympic," and also in connection with the collision of H.M.S. "Centurion." He appeared as a technical witness in a large number of Board of Trade inquiries, including those of the S.S. "Waratah" and the S.S. "Yarmouth," and gave evidence on the question of watertight subdivision of merchant ships before the Bulkhead Committee.
His death took place in London from pneumonia, on 2nd May 1913, in his fifty-fourth year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1901; he was also a Member of the Institution of Naval Architects.