Famous Scots. John Elder.

John Elder (8 March 1824 – 17 September 1869) was a Scottish marine engineer and shipbuilder. He was born at Glasgow on 8 March 1824. His family was connected with Kinross, where, for several generations, his forefathers had followed the occupation of wrights, for which they seemed to have a special aptitude.

He followed his father in constructing marine steam engines and in 1854 established the compound engine as its most efficient form, which made the use of steamships more competitive than sail (also see Maritime history#Age of Steam). He took out numerous patents and expanded the business to employ thousands of workers.

Education and Apprenticeship.

He was born in 1824 the son of David Elder and his wife, Grace Gilroy.

John’s father, David Elder (1785–1866), was a civil engineer who settled in Glasgow, and entered the shipbuilding firm of Mr. Robert Napier, the well-known shipbuilder, under whom, in 1822, he constructed the first marine engine, which was fitted up in the River Leven for the passage between Glasgow and Dumbarton. David Elder, was the author of many inventions and improvements in the machinery of steam vessels, and to the excellence of his engines the success of the Cunard Line of steamers, in establishing regular communication between the opposite shores of the Atlantic, was mainly due. He died in January 1866, in his eighty-second year. John Elder was David’s third son. John was also the brother of Alexander Elder, co-founder of Elder, Dempster & Co Ltd.

John Elder was educated at the High School of Glasgow, where he showed great excellence in mathematics and in drawing. After a five years’ apprenticeship to engineer Robert Napier, and a brief time passed in English engine works, he was placed at the head of the drawing office in Napier’s works.

Business.

In 1852, he became a member of the firm of Randolph, Elliott, & Co., a firm that had been successful as millwrights, but had not attempted anything as marine engineers. In 1860 they began shipbuilding under the firm of Randolph, Elder, & Co.; in 1868, on the expiry of the copartnery. Elder continued the business, which reached a very great degree of prosperity. He soon became known as an engineer of singular ability. The company later became the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in 1886.

Growth of Business.

Some idea of the magnitude of his business may be formed from the fact that when in business by himself he employed four thousand men, and that from June 1868 to the end of 1869 the number of sets of engines made by him was eighteen, their aggregate horse power 6,110, the number of vessels built fourteen, their aggregate tonnage 27,027.

Ill Health and Death.

Early in 1869 he became seriously ill with cirrhosis of the liver. He went to London to get specialist advice, but died of the disease during his visit, on 17 September 1869.