John Hodgkinson (1773-1861) canal and railway engineer
Born in Ashover, Derbyshire
Worked for his relation Benjamin Outram on various canal projects
1796 Deputised for Outram in presenting a report on the Nutbrook Canal to its owners
1799 Supervised construction of tramroads for the Ashby Canal
1801 Took over the estimating and engineering responsibility for the Sirhowy Railway
1802 Advertisement: 'SIRHOWY TRAM-ROAD.
WANTED, CONTRACTORS for forming, laying, and completing, the Monmouthshire Canal Company's part of the said Road, which is now marked out.
Any Person or Persons inclined to contract for the same, or any part or parts thereof, may receive the necessary information as to the mode of executing the work, by applying to Mr. John Hodgkinson, the Engineer, at the King's Head Inn, in the town of Newport.
Proposals for the execution of the said work will be attended to at the next Meeting of the Committee, to be holden at the Navigation-Office, in Newport aforesaid.
By Order of the Committee, MORGAN PARRY, Clerk to the Company. Newport, October 18, 1802.'[1]
1803 Bought a property outside Newport where he lived for much of the rest of his life.
1805-7 Contractor for the Caerleon Bridge
1807 Advertisement: 'WANTED, an Experienced WORKMAN, as an Agent to superintend the Erection of a new Forge and Rolling Mill. He will be required understand the construction and putting together the Machinery; and to be complete master of the different processes practised in South Wales for Manufacturing wrought Iron. References as to character and abilities required. Apply by letter to Mr. John Hodgkinson, Engineer, Newport, Monmouthshire, stating terms, &c.'[2]
1811 Surveyed the Llanfihangel Railway; took on responsibility for the extension to Llangua (the Grosmont Railway)
1811-4 Engineer to the Hay Railway
1815-8 Contractor for sections of the Hay Railway
1818-20 Engineer for the Kington Railway
1819-21 Engineer for reservoir on the Glamorgan Canal
1825-8 Engineer for the Duffryn, Llynvi and Porthcawl Railway
1826 Contractor on a section of the Cromford and High Peak Railway
1826-9 Engineer on the Hereford Railway
1830 Engineer on the Bridgend Railway
1842 Surveyed a possible line from Newport to Blaina with Thomas E. Marsh (perhaps Thomas Edward Milles Marsh?)
1861 Died; buried at Newport
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers, Volume 1, edited by A. W. Skempton, Mike Chrimes