New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-19
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM FAIRBAIRN, Ill. d.


William Fairbairn, Ii. D.. the noted British
civil engineer died yesterday, England, at the Of
s5 This remarkable man. TO whom the iron industry
owes so much from humble circumstances 10 po-
sition of great emnence by the force of his ability
He was born at KesO. Scotland In 1882 Having learned
the rudiments OF education at parish school, and re-
ceived some instruction from uncle, he appren
ticed 10 an engine-wright at British coiery. When
his apprenticeship terminated he wrought two in
London, and then visited many places in England
Wales, and Ireland, working short time in
each, In order TO acquire a general knowledge OF
mechanical engineering. Eventually he began business
on his own account at Manchester in 1871 and perse
yered in 1t despite many dscouTaging circumstances
The first important Improvement which he introduced
was the general substitution Of iron for wood in the
shating of cotton mills and the Of lighter shafting
where metal already in use. This change reduced
the cost Of machinery and enabled the motion TO be
speeded rrOm 40 10 100 revolutions per minute. Mr.
Farbairn aerward directed his attention to iron ship
building, and the first In England TO construct
iron ship The construction OF vessels eventually
became OF the principal branches OF his business his
firm having built more than 100. varying from the
smallest size the frgate Of 1900 In ISJ43
MI Fairbairn and Mr. E. Hodgknson invited by
the British Association to seek the of certain
supposed defects in the iron produced by hot blast fur
He and his associate accordingly investigated
the subject and submitted a valuable report thereon
printed the Transactions OF the Association He also
a
formation tested the strength OF various kinds OF British
iron determined the tenacy OF boiler plates Of differ
ent mcknesses, and long series OF experiments
the resistance Of hollow tubes cylinders 10 outside
pressure. leading 10 valuable practical results.
Mr. FairOairn cOOperated with Robert Stephenson in
designing and constructing tue great tubular bridge
across the Menai Strait the success OF which led
building OF many others the principle. ephen
suggested circular tube supported by chains, but
plan modified at the instance Of Mr. Farbairn,
who made a long series OF experiments upon model
and found that rectangular structure, strength
ened by q series of cells at the top and BOTTOM
and suspended without chains any other
support from pier 10 pier. best adapted
TO the stipulated conditions Mr.. Fairba1rn, who
one OF founders OF the British Association, wrote
able papers subjects connected with his pro-
fession and published several important works. among
which may be noticed Mills and Mill Work" Iron
Building Purposes :" Iron Shipbuding" and First
Second and Third Series of Useful Information for
Engineers Mr. Ftirbalrn was corresponding men,
Der Of the National Institute Of France and Chevaer
OF the Legion or Honor He had been President OF the
British Association, and had declined the honor CT
knighthood.
THE REV. z. Il. L. TAYLOR d. d.
The Rev. Z. L. L. Taylor, ID. D., Secretary
OF the American Baptist Home Mission Society," formerly
pastor Of the Strongplace Baptist Church Brooklyn
died Marlboro the hudson, yesterday morning, of
typhoid fever. DR.. Taylor a Of great energy
and his power among his congregation when he was
pastor OF Strong place Church amounted almost 10
magnetism He had large circle of friends
and his death serious loss 10 the Baptist
ton. The funeral Will take place on Fridty, u. H.
from the strongplace Baptist Church In Brooklyn