The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-09
Mlislellaneous.
Memoir OF Sur Marc rsan,bert Brunei.


man, but his life and genius were almost wholly
devoted to the invention and construction of works
OF great public utility in this country. Sir l. Bru
mel was born at Hacqueyille, in Normandy, now in
the department de l'Eure, in the year 1869; year
since remarkable for having given birth to many
eminent men. He was educated for the church,
with the prospect Of succeeding to living, and was
accordingly sent at an early age TO the seminary Of
st. Ncain, at Rouen. But he soon evinced so
strong prediction for the physical sciences and
great genius for mathematics, that the supe-
riors OF the establishment recommended ne should
be educated for other profession than that of
the church. His father strongly objected to his
adopting the profession of an engineer, one more
likely 10 prove beneficial to others than himself,
and he therefore determined that he should be edu-
Gated for the naval service in which he thought his
sons proficiency in mathematics might lay the
foundation OF his advancement in that profession
At the proper age he entered the Royal Navy being
indebted for his appointment to the Mareschal de
Castries, then the minister of marine On one oc-
casion he surprised his captain by producing SEX
tant and quadrant of his own construction, and
which he used for making observations. He made
several voyages to the West Indies, and returned
home in 1872. At this time the French revolution
was at its height. As Mr.. Brunei entertained roy
alist opinions which he not very careful to sup
press, his life than once in danger and he
was, like many others at that time, forced to seek
safety in flight. He emgrated to the United States,
where necessity, fortunately, compelled him TO fol
low the natural bent of his mind and to adopt the
profession of civil engineer. He was first en-
81
Erie. He was employed in building the Bowery
theatre, in New York which not many years ago
was burnt down. He furnished plans for canals,
and for various machines connected with q. cannon
foundry then being established in the State of New
York. About the year 1899 he had natured his
plans for making ship blocks by machinery.
The United States was not then the field for 80
inventive genius Brunel's. He determined
upon visiting England and offering his services and
plans for this purpose to the British government
Lord Spencer, then we believe first lord of the
Admiralty, became his friend and patron. He be-
came frequent guest at Spencer House, and never
failed to speak warmly Of the assistance and en-
couragement he derived from the friendship of
Lord and Lady Spencer From this time he con-
tinued to reside in England and refused to enter
tain many propositions made to him to leave Eng
land and settle abroad under the auspices of other
governments. After much opposition to his plans
for a very powerful interest was arrayed against
him, not lessened in that day by his being French
mamie was employed to execute them in Ports
mouth dock-yard To perfect his designs and to
erect the machinery was the arduous labor of MANY
years. With true discrimination he selected Mr.
Henry Maudslay to assist in the execution of the
work, and thus, possibly, was laid the foundation
of one of the most extensive engineering establish
ments in the kingdom, and in which, perhaps,
degree of science and skill has been combined and
applied to mechanical invention and improvement
scarcely exceeded by any other in the world. The
block machinery was finished in 1906, and has con-
tinued ever since in full operation, supplying our
fleet with blocks OF very superior description to
saving to the public. 1t was estimated at the time
that the saving, in the first year, amounted to
f24 ,0OO per annum; and about two thirds of that
sum were awarded to MIR. Brunei. 1t is needless
to describe the originality and beauty of this we'll
known machinery Even after the lapse Of forty
years, notwithstanding the marveously rapid
strides we have made in the improvement and con-
struction of machines of all kinds it remains eff
fective as II was when first erected and unatered
IL is still object Of admiration to all persons in
terested In mechanics.
A few years afterwards he was employed by gov
ernment TO erect saw mills, upon new principle,
in the dock yards of Chatham and Woowich Seve-
raj other inventions were the offspring of his sim
gularly fertile mind about this time,-the circular
saw for cutting veneers OF valuable woods; and the
beautiful little machine for winding cotton thread
into balls, which greatly extended its consumption.
About two years before the termination of the war
Mr.. Brunei, under the countenance of the Duke of
York, invented a machine for making shoes for the
army by machinery, the value and cheapness of
which were fully appreciated, and they were ex-
tensvely used, but the peace Of 1915 lcssening the
demand, the machinery was ultimately laid aside.
Steam navigation also at that time attracted his
tention. He was engaged in the building of one Of
the first Ramsgate steamboats,, and, we believe, in
troduced the principle of the double engine for the
purpose. He also induced tho Admiralty TO allow
him to build vessel to try the experiment Of tow
ing ships out 70 sea- the possibility of which wss
then denied. Many other objects OF great public
utility occupied his mind, which in this mere out
line Of long and active life must be excluded.
try, after the peace, led him to submit to the EN-
peror plan for making tunnel under the Neva,
where the accumulation Of ice, and the suddcnness
with which il breaks up on the termination OF win
ter, rendered the erection Of bridge work Of
great difficulty. This the origin Of his plan for
tunnel under the Thames, which had been twice be-
fore attempted without success. In 1924, however,
company was formed, and supported by the Duke Of
Wellington, who took, from first to last, deep in
terest In the work Many Of science also joined
il, amongst whom the late DR.. Wollaston was the
most prominent and whose brother long contin-
ued one of the most active and able promoters Of the
scheme. Tho work was commenced in 1924. IL
was stopped more than once during its progress by
the breaking in Of the river, and more efectually
at last by the exhausted finances of the company,
which never extended beyond the command Of
ElSO,OO0 At length, after the suspension Of the
work for many years, by special act of parlia-
ment, a loan was sanctioned, the Exchequer Loan
Commissioners advanced the funds necessary for
the completion Of the work under the river, and
Notwithstanding many weighty PROFESSIONAL opin-
iUns were advanced against the practicability Of
the work, from both the loose aluval nature of the
soil through which 1t had TO be constructed and the
superintendent flood Of water, IL was finished and
view, this work will always be regarded display
IN the highest professional ability, and amount Of
energy and perseverance rarely exceeded, and fer
tility of invention and resources under what were
deemed insurmountsble difficulties which will al
ways secure 10 Sir L. Brunei "A high place amongst
the engineers of this country. During Lord Mel
bourne's administration, Mr.. Brunei received the
honor of knighthood, on the recommendation of the
late Lord Spencer, then Lord Althorp. Sir /. Bru-
mel was a vice president Of the Royal Society,
corresponding member Of the Institute Of France,
and vice president of the Institution Of Civil Engi
He was also chevalier of the Legion Of Hon
He unaffected, simple in his habits, and be-
nevoent and as ready TO do kind act as he was 10
forget an injury. He died in his slst year, after
long illness, which first visited him after the
completion Of the Tunnel. The care, anxiety, and
constant strain Of body and mind, brought a
slight attack Of paralysis, from which he never tho
roughly recovered. He leaves a widow, Lady Bru-
mel, son, the eminent engineer, and two daugh-
ters, the eldest married to Mr.. Hawes, the under
secretary of slate for the colonies, and the youngest
TO the Rev. Mr.. Harrison, the vicar OF New Brent
ford London Times, 13th uf.