The New York herald., 1874-10-30
John Laird. M. p.

cable telegram from London, under date OF
yesterday, goth inst, announces the death OF Mr.
John Laird the well known shipbuilder and member
OF the English Parliament for Birkenhead. Mr..
Laird died yesterday alter the endurance OF pain
full and protracted illness. He was born at Greenock,
Scotland, in 1905, and was brother OF the African
explorer, Macgregor Laird, who first introduced
steam navigation into Africa. He was gen.
orally and widely known as the head OF
the celebrated firm OF shipbuilders, Laird,
sons Il Co., OF Birkenhead, In which bust.
ness he was actively engaged for nearly forty
years. As early the year 1929 he began to build
iron vessels, but so great was the prejudice
against this class OF vessels that 1t was necessary
to send one to sea several times before the public
could be inouced to accept them as seaworthy.
Ten years alter the nrst experiments had
that iron steam vessels must eventually supersede
ali wooden craft, the Admiralty Board sent an
for servce and Mr. Vessels
were soon after adopted by the leading owners OF
the country: Mr. NJ. Laird's ,rm at at Birsenhead
wealthy He mas been an active promoter OF
the docks and other public Improvements at
OF Chairman OF the Board OF Improvement COM
misstoners and was also one OF the l0ur nominee
members appointed By the government as Trustees tee
the year OF his retirement from the shipbutlding
firm, he was elected to the British Par.
" or Conservative party, being the 6@rss @ membcr
to take seat as representative OF the
growing town OF Birkenhead. During the late war
IN rne United States his firm became exceed
lngy unpopular owing to the alleged manner OF
deception employed to get the steam ram Alabama
or the ways and out into the English Channel
without the knowledge Of the officials or the Brit
ism government. He was called to account sc.
verey IN the House OF Commons and charged with
having allowed mis- love OF money to overcome his
patriotism and the obedience he had sworn to OBJ
serve as q subject to the laws OF Great Britain.
He replied on one occasion very curty, refusing
10 be catcchized for the acts OF q nrm over which
he no longer had control, and pointed out that
thousands OF others, while hiding their
heads within the folds OF the Union
Jack, were recklessly setting at def
was sunk in the endeavor to become rich on the
disasters OF friendly people. He would, he de-
clared. rather be stigmatiZ as the builder OF
the Alabama than be OF those mean instruments
who were only to be used Tor the
humiliation OF thousands OF innocent
people, the avaricious Clique, raving
ike beasts for their prey. The English people gen.
the arguments IN relation TO the celebrated priva-
teer, but Tor several years afterward he took but
little part IN public debate, excepting on occasions
when appropriations were to be voted Tor
building vessels OF war. or when the gen.
eral shipping interests OF the country
were under discussion. Mr.. Laird was not a ready
debater at any time, spoke always with a peculiar
Scottish accent and with great deiberation.
though hts scientific and business attalnments In.
les and laborers In his employ nc was particularly
kind, and the poor OF Birkenhead will long re-
member him Tor the kindly interest he manifested
In their condition and necessities.