Francis John William Thomas Giles
Francis John William Thomas Giles (c1787-1847)
1848 Obituary [1]
Mr. Francis Giles was brought up as a surveyor, and was engaged for a considerable period, in the early part of his professional career, under the late Mr. Rennie, in executing those correct and beautiful surveys which have become models for the present practice. Among these, may be particularly mentioned, the surveys of the Thames, the Mersey, the Wear, and the Tyne, and of the harbours of Dover, Rye, Holyhead, Dundee, Kingstown, &c.
Among the principal engineering works executed by Mr. Giles may be named the Ivel Canal, the Lea Union Canal, and part of the Sankey Navigation; the harbours of Bridport and Courtown, and the Tidal Dock at Southampton.
He was also engaged in the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, which comprised, at the period of its opening, some of the boldest works in the kingdom. A cutting of 102 feet deep, through the Cowran Hills, and a bridge over the River Eden, having five arches of 80 feet span, and 100 feet in height.
He laid out, and in part executed, the South-Western Railway; and he also designed and executed the Guildford Railway.
The Warwick Bridge, in Cumberland, which, for elegance of design, may be called his ‘chef d’oeuvre,’ was also built under his directions, and during forty years of active professional life, he was extensively employed in many minor works, in arbitrations, and in discussions between the conservators of tidal rivers, and encroaching landowners, for which his previous extensive surveys had eminently qualified him.
He was not a very old member of the Institution, having joined it in 1842; but he was extremely attentive as a Member of the Council, was a constant attendant at the meetings, took an active part in the discussions, and contributed some valuable charts and plans to the collection.
He died on the 4th of March, 1847, in the 60th year of his age, as universally regretted, as he had been esteemed, by an extensive circle of friends.