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DEATH OF MR. H. WAKE, C. E.
FAMOUS SUNDERLAND ENGINEER We regret to have to record the death which took place at 5:30 this morning at his residence, 14 Thornhill Gardens. Of Mr. Henry Hay Wake, C. E. Mr. Wake was born in 1844 in Monkwearmouth, and was the son of Mr. Wm. Morgan Wake. The later was originally a boat builder, but afterwards became registrar of births, marriages, and deaths. His Son, Henry, was educated at the Grange School, and served his time with Mr. Thomas Meek, engineer to the River Wear Commission, and when that gentleman retired in 1868 Mr. 
Wake was appointed his successor. Under his direction several important schemes of dock extension and improvement were carried out. One of them was commenced in 1898, and it involved the expenditure of considerably over a quarter of a million of money. It consisted of the enlargement of Hudson Dock North, the rebuilding of No. 1 Gateway, the construction of deep water quays, and the erection of new staithes and jetties. In fact, this and succeeding works designed by Mr. Wake practically remodeled the docks and harbour, and to those who can compare the position when his work commenced with the state of the harbour and docks now will agree that the work has been a stupendous one.Mr. Wake's chief work, however, was the designing and building of the Roker and South piers, which have done so much to develop Sunderland as a shipping centre. They were designed by Mr. Wake, and when he had prepared the scheme Sir John Coode was called in to advise, but Mr. Wake's plans with slight modifications were carried out, and the success which has attended the work is a magnificent monument to the engineering skill of Mr. Wake. The scheme was accepted in 1883, and after the preparatory work had been done the foundation stone was laid in 1883 by Sir (then Mr.) James Laing. It was a work which could only proceed comparatively slowly owing to difficulties occasioned by the state of the weather and sea, but it was attended by remarkable success. In 1903 the Earl of Durham laid the last stone of the Roker pier. The North Pier is still incomplete. It had been the ambition of Mr. Wake to live long enough to see his great work actually finished, but that was not to be, although the amount to be added is but small. He regarded these piers as his great work, and was pardonably proud of them. The expenditure has been about half a million and it speaks volumes for the care and thoroughness with witch his work was done that during the whole of those years of work no life was lost, nor despite the buffetings of many storms, was a stone ever moved. When failing health compelled him to relinquish much of his duties, he still continued connected with the Commission as consulting engineer, and looked after the pier work in which he took so great an interest. In all parts of the country, Mr. Wake was held in the highest esteem as an engineer, and was frequently consulted on engineering works, especially those connected with ports. He was regarded as having ability above the average, and the success of his work at Sunderland had made him famous in engineering circles. He was consulting engineer to the Aberdeen Harbour Authority, and he jointly with Mr. P. W. Meek, of Westminster, designed the piers at Seaham Harbour. He was a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and held the position of president to the Newcastle-on-Tyne students branch. He was a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and of the Iron and Steel Institute, and of other engineering bodies. For the last few years, Mr. Wake had been traveling a good deal in search of health. He has visited America, has twice been to the West Indies, and has visited Egypt. When he returned form South America about six months ago he showed no improvement in his condition, and was not able to get about much, except in a trap. For the past month it had been evident that the end might come at any time. In his youth Mr. Wake was keen on rowing, and he won the Amateur Championship for the Wear. His interest in this pastime continued throughout his life. He was a member of the committee of the Constitutional Club, and of the Sunderland Club, and held the position of chairman of the latter institution for some years. He was a Freemason, and was a member of the Jubilee Masters Lodge. Mr. Wake married Miss Isabella Thompson, daughter of Mr. Robert Thompson, of West Hall, Whitburn, and she predeceased him a few years ago. They had a large family, of whom two sons and three daughters survive. One of the sons is on the engineering staff of the River Wear Commissioners, one of the daughters is Mrs. Hugh Wilson, of Roker, another is Mrs. Middleton, whose husband is of the firm of Scott and Middleton, contractors, Westminster, and the youngest is unmarried. Gifted with an amiable disposition Mr. Wake was liked by all who came in contact with him, and was highly esteemed, not only by the Commissioners and by all employed by that body, but throughout the town generally. He was in his 68th year. |
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THE LATE MR. H. H. WAKE
Funeral at Bishopwearmouth The funeral of the late Mr. H. H. Wake, C. E., who died on Friday, took place today. The cortege, which left the residence in Thornhill Gardens at noon, consisted altogether of over thirty vehicles, and attendance was of a very representative character and gave evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased was held. A large number of wreathes had been sent and it is interesting to note that there was one among them from "One whose life he saved." On the coffin was the inscription: "Henry Hay Wake, Died February 17, 1911, aged 67 years." In the chaise were the Rev. Canon Hopkinson, Dr. D. F. Todd, and Dr. L. S. Iliff, and in the family carriages, Mr. H. S. Wake (son), Mr. M. H. Wake (son), Mr. W. Hay Wake (brother), Mr. Hugh Wilson (son-in-law), Mr. Edgar Middleton (son-in-law), Messrs. James E. Thompson, R. C. Thompson, J. Lowes Thompson, V. T. Thompson (brothers-in-law), and Nurse Carrie. There were also present the Mayor (Ald. Wm. Sanderson), the Town Clerk (Mr. Fras. M. Bowey), and Coun. W. F. Vint representing the Corporation. The River Wear Commission was represented by Messers. J. G. Addison, John Nesa, Colonel Challoner, Thomas Jones, John Porteous, Joseph Short, V. C. S. W. Corbett, T. W. Jaques, Hugh Laing, C. H. Dodds (general manager), J. G. Morris (clerk), Wm. Simpson (engineer), F. Humble (deputy general manager), T. Atkinson (traffic manager), J. N. Featherstone and G. A. Thompson (engineer's staff), P. G. Dodd (general manager's office), Geo. Irwing (dredging superintendent), W. Lagenby (foreman carpenter), J. Emmerson (work shops foreman), G. Pullan (foreman mason), J. Harrison (foreman smith), A. Carruthers (foreman boilersmith), B. Combes (foreman platelayer), and J. Alderson (time and storekeeper). Those present from the committee of the Constitutional Club, of which the deceased was a member, were Mr. John Raine, Mr. Digby Nelson, Mr. John Hall, Colonel F. J. McKensie, and Mr. Arthur C. Blumer (hon. Secretary). Others present were: The Mayor of Jarrow (Coun. M. C. James), Mr. C. F. de Pledge, Mr. R. C. Nelson, Mr. A. E. Doxford, Mr. B. Morton (representing the Trinity House, London), Mr. Thomas Elliot, Mr. M. Wawn, Mr. W. Sewell, Mr. Jas. Irwing, Mr. R. J. Smith, Mr. Thos. Pinkney, Mr. J. Hunt Hedley, Mr. J. L. Browne, Mr. G. D. Weir (North-Eastern Marine Engineering Company), Mr. T. B. Mather, C. E. (Newcastle), Mr. Geo. Bell (representing the Orphan Asylum), and Mr. Frank Culliford. A number of workman employed by the Commission, as well as the boys from the Orphan Asylum, also took part in the procession. Carriages were sent by Mr. Jenneson Taylor, Mr. R. C. and Mr. V. T. Thompson. Apologies were received for inability to be present from Messers. Alfred and Frederick Dickinson. Wreaths had been sent by the following: Stafford, Mervyn, and Enid, Hugh and Rhoda, Edgar and Rethe, Beryl, Effie, and Audrey, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Culliford (Thornhill Park), Mrs. William Wilson (South Lodge), R. W. C. dredger men, the committee of the Constitutional Club, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hunt Hedley, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. A. Thompson, Sir Theodore and Lady Doxford (Grindon Hall), Mr. Ralph R. Liddel, Mrs. Alex A. Dairymple Smith, R. W. C. carpenters, Mr. and Mrs. James Marr, Mr. and Mrs. Dodds, Mr. E. A. Webster, Mr. Geo. and Miss Daisy Cogdon, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Thompson, One whose life he saved, Mr. and Mrs. M. Wawn and Miss Wawn, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Taylor, the committee of the Sunderland Rifle Club, R. W. C. works foremen, Mr. F. W. Featherstone, Mr. R. M. Hudson, Mr. James Speeding, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Thompson, Mr. V. T. Thompson, chief officers and staff R. W. C., Harry and George Thompson and George Tagg, Mr. J. T. Middleton (Working), workmen of harbour workshops R. W. C., Mr. G. A. Thompson, Mr. William Simpson. The internment took place at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, where the services at the church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev Canon Hopkinson, of Whitburn. Mr. Thos. Crofton had charge of the funeral arrangements. |