William Deeble Ferguson
William Deeble Ferguson (c1856-1937)
1937 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM DEEBLE FERGUSON was in business on his own account as a consulting engineer in Belfast. He was born in Belfast, and received his education at the Royal Academical Institution and at Queen's College. In 1871 he was apprenticed to Messrs. Victor Coates and Company, at the Lagan Foundry, Belfast, and served until 1878, when he was made assistant manager. He became chief draughtsman to Messrs. Gray, Lamberton, iron founders, of Coatbridge, in 1880, and in the following year he was appointed departmental manager to Messrs. Duncan Stewart and Company, of Glasgow. He was engaged with Sir William Arrol and Company, Ltd., as chief hydraulic engineer during the building of the Forth Bridge, and subsequently joined Messrs. Blackwood and Gordon, marine engineers, on the Clyde. In 1892 he returned to Belfast as general manager of the Lagan Engine Works and of the Prince's Dock Boiler Works of Messrs. Victor Coates. He established his business as a consulting engineer in 1896, in which year he was also elected a Member of the Institution. He was actively engaged in his consulting work for forty years. His death occurred at Helen's Bay, County Down, on 29th November 1936, at the age of 80.