William Swinburne (1863-1915)
William Swinburne (1863-1915)
1915 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM SWINBURNE was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 2nd November 1863.
He was educated at the Royal Grammar School in the same city, and received his technical education at the Schools of Science and Art, Elswick Mechanics' Institute.
From 1878 to 1884 he served his apprenticeship at the engineering works of Messrs. Henry Watson and Sons, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and in 1884 became engaged at Sir W. G. Armstrong's Elswick Works.
He left this firm in 1885 to go to Messrs. J. Abbot and Co., Gateshead, with whom he remained until November 1886, when he went to Australia with hydraulic machinery for the Melbourne Gas Works.
After this machinery had been erected, he entered the Melbourne Hydraulic Power Co., Ltd., as outside and inspecting engineer, becoming assistant manager in 1892, manager and engineer in 1900, and eventually managing director, a position which he held at his death.
In addition, he was managing director of the Colonial Gas Association, and a director of the firm of Johns and Waygood, and of several smaller gas companies.
He was also a member of the firm of John Coates and Co., and Messrs. G. and W. Swinburne.
His death took place at Hawthorn, Melbourne, on 13th January 1915, in his fifty-second year.
He was elected a Member of this Institution in 1901.