Thomas William Gardner
Thomas William Gardner (1841-1869)
1872 Obituary [1]
MR. THOMAS WILLIAM GARDNER, the only son of Mr. T. W. Gardner, of Wormley, Herts, was born in London on the 30th March, 1841.
He was educated first at the school, and afterwards in the Department of the Applied Sciences, of King’s College, London.
The year of his leaving he gained a mathematical scholarship, and was second in the competition for another scholarship. By the late Mr. Brunel he was introduced to Mr. Bazalgette, M. Inst. C.E., to whom he was articled in 1859, and whose first pupil he became. During his pupilage he was constantly employed on the design and execution of the works for the Main Drainage of London, and his increasing skill and energy were noticed by all connected with those parts of the undertaking with which he had to do. The northern outfall, contracted for by Messrs. Furness and Co., was especially his care.
Hydraulic engineering now became his chief study, and several months were spent in Paris, in order to become thoroughly acquainted with the French system of drainage.
In 1864 he was appointed engineer and assistant manager on Mr. Furness’ contract for the construction of roads and sewers in Odessa; and in the complicated law proceedings against the Russian Government concerning the English work, Mr. Gardner’s powers and intelligence were thoroughly proved.
In 1868, on returning to England, he was for a time in charge of the contract for a portion of the Thames Embankment. Again going out to Odessa, he was intrusted with the entire management of the works there, and amid much difficulty carried them on with vigour.
In December, 1866, he was elected an Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and took a warm interest in the proceedings.
He was also a Fellow of the Geological Society.
In March, 1869, during the general stagnation of the profession in England, he went to Calcutta, taking the appointment of Assistant-Engineer to the municipality. The works there were extensive. Mr. Gardner’s duties included the entire charge of a contract for main drainage works, involving an expenditure of £60,000, and also in co-operating with the chief engineer, Mr. W. Clark, M. Inst. C.E., in the pumping station and outfall works, and those connected with the reclamation and irrigation of the Salt Water Lake.
He also designed extensive works for Government House, the public offices, and the bazaars, hospitals, &C., of the city. His health, however, obliged him to leave India, and he returned with a weakened constitution to live but one more year in England.
At the time of his death he was filling the post of surveyor to the parish of Hampstead, and only awaiting the revival of engineering activity to show his thorough knowledge and ability in the branch of the profession to which he was so heartily devoted.
He sunk under an attack of suppressed smallpox in his thirtieth year, respected for his integrity as well as power, and sincerely regretted by a numerous circle of friends.