The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-04

neer OF the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks. holding this position until
1908, when he went to tbs Mare
Island Navy Yard In California In
January. 1907. he became the chief
Of the Bureau OF Yards and Docks of
the Navy Department with the rank
OF rear-admiral. being the youngest
man who ever held this office. Early
in May OF the same yeaf he was sent
to Panama as a member OF the 18th
milan Canal Commission. where he
has gained an enviabls reputation Tor
his work
Colonel william L. Sibert. Of the
Corps of Engineers OF tho United
States Army. comes from Alabama.
and was 4 member Of the class Of
1884 at West Point. He has been en-
Gagged in construction engineering and
harbor work ever since that time,
both In the United States and her
colonies, one OF his most important
appointments being the chief engi-
neership Of the Manila and Dagupan
Railroad located in the Philippine
Islands shortly before he was sent to
a member Of the Canal Commission
and Chief of the Atlantic Division In
1907. He 10 known A. the father OF
the much criticized 0atun DAM
Galllard.
Colonel d, D. Gailiard. the Chief of
thu Central Division. Is a native OF
South Carolina, and was q ciassmate
Of Colonel sibsrt At West Point. and
like him was engaged in a number
of important engineering problems
before he became = member OF the
Commission Eome OF Colonel Gail
lard's best known work was done In
Cuba. He IL also the author OF q
book on wave action In relation TO
engineering structures Colonel Gail
lard has been q member Of tho Canal
Commission since 1907.
williamson
The Pacifo Division had ~ It's
chief n civilian-Sidney B. William
son a distinguished American Civil
Engineer who was called to Panama
nv Colonel Cocktails shortly after the
present Commission took charge. Mr..
Williams entered the employ of the
United States Government in 1882 and
was in charge OF the engineering and
construction work connected with the
navigation Of the Tennessee River,
where ho remained until 1900, with
the exception Of q few months In the
army during the Epanish-American
war In 1898. In 1900 he WAS trans
ferred to Newport. Rhode Island. a.
Assistant Engineer In charge of the
fertilization work In that district.
During four years Of his service on
the Tennessee River and three years
Mt Newport he was associated with
Colonel Goethals. In 1904 he repre-
sented q civilian engineering COM
pany. and later opened an ONCE In
baltimore a. consulting engineer. Mr..
Williamson resigned his position in
Panama in May, 1917. and entered
the service OF one OF the largest en-
giueertnx and contracting Arms In tho
world and was at once placed In
charge Of their London once. He was
one Of the most popular men on the
Canal, especially with the workmen.
He was exceptionally modest over his
achievements and 1t was only after
the greatest difncuity that he could
be persuaded to talk about himself.
II am not building the Canal" was
invariably his answer. II am mere
" . worker" and while this was true
no ono individual was . more impoe-
tant factor In its building than this
plain. quiet man who for many years
lAborsd 20 strenuously ON the prob
lens encountered in the constructed
Of the Pacific Division.
Hodees.
Colonel II. r. Hodges, the Assist