Samuel Dobson (1826-1870)

1871 - The following is the text of the obituary published by the Institution of Civil Engineers: Obituaries 1871 [174]

Mr. Samuel Dobson was the son of a farmer, and was born on the 28th of April, 1826, at Newton Hall, Horsley, in the county of Northumberland, and attended the village school at Ovingham.

He was apprenticed as a colliery viewer to Mr. John Gray, of Garesfield, Durham, for three years ; and at this time, finding himself somewhat deficient in education, he attended a night school at Crawcrook, near Ryton, kept by Mr. Craigie, a celebrated teacher of mathematics. At this school, Messrs. Nicholas Wood, George Elliot, M.P., John Nixon, Robert Anderson, C.E., and other men of note, received a considerable portion of their education.

He afterwards acted for two years as an assistant to the late Mr. T. J. Taylor, of Earsdon, Northumberland.

About the year 1848 he removed to South Wales, on being appointed, through Mr. Taylor’s influence, mineral agent to the Clive (now the Windsor) estate; and subsequently he engaged in business on his own account as a mining engineer, and became mineral agent for many of the principal properties in the district. He had charge of the opening and working of some of the most important and extensive of the steam coal collieries of South Wales, amongst which Messrs. Powell's Duffryn collieries may be especially mentioned.

He was also in extensive practice as a consulting Engineer in all matters relating to mining, and of late years had turned his attention to Civil Engineering matters. He projected the Penarth Harbour Dock and Railway, for which he and Mr. John Hawkshaw, Past-President Inst. C.E., were afterwards the joint Engineers. He was also instrumental in establishing several railways in South Wales, and reported upon experiments made by himself as to the comparative value of Welsh and North Country coals for marine purposes.

Mr. Dobson was elected a Member of the Institution on the 2nd of November, 1856. He was also a Member of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers, as well as a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. He was devotedly attached to the profession, worked very hard, and in private life was a man of engaging manners, very sincere, and one who formed many lasting friendships.

Mr. Dobson's health had been failing for some time, and he died in London, of consumption, on the 26th of July, 1870, in the forty-fifth year of his age. [016]

The Cardiff Times reported his passing thus:-

1870 - Death of Mr. Samuel Dobson, C.E. - 'With more than ordinary regret we announce the decease of Mr. Samuel Dobson, C.E., principal member of the firm of Messrs. Dobson, Brown & Adams, of Cardiff, which took place at his residence in London on Tuesday night. Standing as he did at the head of the engineering profession of this neighbourhood, in which he has resided for so many years, and being connected with many local undertakings, Mr. Dobson's death will be generally regretted alike by his professional brethren and by those with whom he was in any way connected. Mr. Dobson, though only forty-five years of age at the time of his decease, commenced his career as an engineer in this town about twenty five years ago, previous to which he was trained as a mining engineer in the North of England. By his industrious efforts and continued perseverance, which were accompanied by the development of high professional ability, he was enabled to secure for himself a reputation and standing enjoyed by few men at so comparatively young an age.

The chief work of public importance with which Mr. Dobson's name is associated is the Penarth Harbour, Dock and Railway, which was executed by him in conjunction with Mr. John Hawkshaw. Till recent times, when failing health compelled him to relinquish the post, Mr. Dobson was the engineer of the Powell's Duffryn Collieries in the Aberdare Valley, in the superintendence of which he manifested great judgment and foresight as a mining engineer. He was also agent for most of the lessors of the district, and had a very extensive consulting and general practice throughout the country. The duties attending the business have latterly been principally performed by the other partners in the firm ; but in many ways Mr. Dobson's large and enlightened experience and sound judgment will be greatly missed by those who had occasions to consult him, and for various reasons his decease will prove a loss to the district. Mr. Dobson's death was more immediately brought about by an affection of the throat, accompanied by extreme debility, but he has been for some years in a precarious state of health. We understand that in accordance with a wish he expressed shortly before death that he might be buried in some quiet church-yard, Mr. Dobson's friends have selected Llanishen churchyard in which to deposit his remains. The funeral will take place at ten o'clock this (Saturday) morning.' Cardiff Times [019] [361] 30th July 1870

The Western Mail reported his death thus:-

'We have to record with regret the death of Mr. Samuel Dobson, C.E., which occurred, after a lingering illness, at his residence in Kensington Park-gardens, on Thursday evening last. The loss of so eminent man in his profession will be generally felt throughout the district. Mr. Dobson was recognised as one of the highest authorities on all mining questions as well in South Wales as in the North of England, and in the discussion which is now commencing as to the merits of Welsh and North country coals, it will be difficult to find so able a champion of the South Wales interest as he would have been if he had been spared to take part in it.' - The Western Mail - [019] [361] - 29th July 1870.