John Scott Russell — Ships, Science and Scandal in the Age of Transition

摘要

Victorian engineer and educator John Scott Russell (1808-82) built his career on an impressive scientific education, a fluent pen and the ability to bridge the intellectual gap between theory and practice during the critical decades of the mid-nineteenth century. Abandoning an academic career to pursue his fortune in engineering, Russell made important contributions to hydrodynamics, iron shipbuilding and dissemination of new technologies. His organizational abilities secured a leading role in the 1851 Great Exhibition. With the support of Rotherham ironmaster Charles Geach MP he operated shipyards on the Isle of Dogs, building Brunei's massive Great Eastern. Russell's contribution to the project was immense, including most of the detailed design, the hull and paddle wheel engines. An acrimonious feud with Brunei ended in disaster, the ship was overdue, and over-budget, Russell was bankrupted, and family and friends blamed him for Brunei's early death. After 1860 he worked as a consultant engineer, wrote a monumental study of shipbuilding, founded the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and inspired the creation of the School of Naval Architecture. He led the debate between theory and practice as shipbuilding moved from art to science. Russell's problems stemmed from the lack of capital. This led him to over-extend himself, spreading his resources too thin. When his shipbuilding career began to unravel, he lacked the reserves to weather economic recession. Furthermore he was too clever and too ambitious, leading many to question his integrity and honesty. The negative side of Russell's ambition, his fluency and superior manner made him many enemies. As a result he died without the usual honours, where Brunei turned down a knighthood Russell was never offered one.