Watson, James M.Inst. C.E.

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Watercolour portrait of James Watson M.Inst C.E. Waterworks engineer

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born at Douglas, South Lanarkshire in 1844, the son of Mr James Watson, farmer. He received a thoroughly sound education. His schooling over, Mr Watson went to the office of Mr Johnstone, architect and surveyor, of Douglas and Lanark in 1866. In 1869 he took up practice on his own account at Lanark. He was engaged in many public works in the county and borough of Lanark. While engineer to the Water Corporation of Lanark he designed the new Lochlyock waterworks. At the age of 25 he took the appointment of chief assistant in the office of Burg Engineer at Dundee and after three years of active service was appointed Engineer of the Dundee Water Commission.

He was so successful that after 1874 consulting council was dispensed with and Mr Watson had sole control. During his 19 years of office the water supply of Dundee was increased from 2 1/2 to 10 millions of gallons per day. In 1875 he was elected an Associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers and in 1884 was made a member. Mr Watson was appointed Waterworks Engineer to the Bradford Corporation in 1891 at a salary of £1000 per year. The works at Angram are on a colossal scale and it is expected the total cost will be about 3 millions sterling. The district of the supply not only includes the city but 25 surrounding towns and places to irrigate(?) a population of 420,000. In 1904 his salary was increased(?) £500 per year upon his then salary of £1250. Mr Watson's reputation is well known not only in Bradford but throughout the country and he ranks one of the foremost of consulting engineers.

Mr Watson's family is identified with Wesleyan Methodism. Mr Watson has four sons and three daughters. He died in 1919."

Year

1909

Creator

Sowden

Image filename

sowden-287