Thomas Downie
Thomas Downie ( -1919) of James Bertram and Son, Pacific Steam Navigation Co, W. and A. McOnie and H. and C. Grayson
1921 Obituary [1]
THOMAS DOWNIE, who died on 11th November, 1919, was a native of Fifeshire.
He served an apprenticeship of seven years with James Bertram & Son, Engineers, Leith, and then joined the Allan Line, remaining with them for a number of years.
Subsequently he joined The Pacific Steam Navigation Co., and became Chief Engineer of their largest steamers, his last position being in the S.S. "Britannia." During the period when he was second engineer of one of these steamers, the propeller was so damaged when out on the West Coast of South America that it was quite impossible to steam, with the result that the steamer would have had to remain until a new propeller arrived out from England, close on a period of six months, but, owing to his skill and experience, a new propeller was made at one of the Chilian arsenal works under his immediate supervision and the steamer returned home within half the time it would have taken to have got the new propeller from England.
He was promoted on his return, and also received monetary recognition from the Company and the Underwriters.
He was afterwards appointed Lloyd's Surveyor in Glasgow, and then left Lloyd's in order to take up a position as manager of McChonies, Engineers, Glasgow, sugar refinery machinery specialists.
He next joined Messrs. H. & C. Grayson as engineer manager, and remained with them for some years, when he left and started a repair works of his own in Caryl Street, Liverpool. After giving this up he practiced as a consulting engineer and also as a specialist, working various patents of his own and acquiring the working of others.
He was elected a Member of the Liverpool Engineering Society on 13th November, 1895, and had presented valuable books to the library.