Jacob Samuda
Encyclopedia
Jacob Samuda was a Jewish English
civil engineer
born in London
. He is described as "the first Jewish engineer" on his tombstone, in the Sephardic cemetery, Mile End
, London. He was the elder son of Abraham Samuda, an East
and West India merchant of London, and Joy, daughter of H. d'Aguilar of Enfield Chase, Middlesex
. After his apprenticeship
with John Hague, an engineer, Jacob went into partnership with his brother Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda
setting up the firm Samuda Brothers
.
Jacob was an ingenious inventor and made a number of important discoveries. One of these, the atmospheric railway
, received at first with considerable opposition, was subsequently adopted as a means of transit by several important companies, the first being Dublin and Kingstown Railway
in 1842. Sir Robert Peel
later recommended its adoption to the House of Commons
and the Board of Trade
. The line to use it in England
was from Epsom
to London; and later the South Devon Railway
adopted the principle of the new invention.
Jacob also made significant improvements in marine engines. In 1843, he contracted to build the Gypsy Queen, an iron boat to be fitted with his improved engine. On the trial trip, the ship exploded and he met his death along with six other persons.
The Samuda Estate
, on the site of his shipyard in Cubitt Town
, is named after him and his brother.
Samuda is buried in the Sephardic Burial Ground in the Mile End Road
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He is described as "the first Jewish engineer" on his tombstone, in the Sephardic cemetery, Mile End
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
, London. He was the elder son of Abraham Samuda, an East
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
and West India merchant of London, and Joy, daughter of H. d'Aguilar of Enfield Chase, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. After his apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
with John Hague, an engineer, Jacob went into partnership with his brother Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda
Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda
Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda was an English civil engineer and politician. He was born in London the younger son of Abraham Samuda, and brother of Jacob Samuda...
setting up the firm Samuda Brothers
Samuda Brothers
Samuda Brothers was an engineering and ship building firm at Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs in London, founded by Jacob and Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda. The site is now occupied by Samuda Estate....
.
Jacob was an ingenious inventor and made a number of important discoveries. One of these, the atmospheric railway
Atmospheric railway
An atmospheric railway uses air pressure to provide power for propulsion. In one plan a pneumatic tube is laid between the rails, with a piston running in it suspended from the train through a sealable slot in the top of the tube. Alternatively, the whole tunnel may be the pneumatic tube with the...
, received at first with considerable opposition, was subsequently adopted as a means of transit by several important companies, the first being Dublin and Kingstown Railway
Dublin and Kingstown Railway
The Dublin and Kingstown Railway , which opened in 1834, was Ireland’s first railway. It linked Westland Row in Dublin with Kingstown Harbour’s West Pier in County Dublin.-History:...
in 1842. Sir Robert Peel
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
later recommended its adoption to the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
and the Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
. The line to use it in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
was from Epsom
Epsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
to London; and later the South Devon Railway
South Devon Railway Company
The South Devon Railway Company built and operated the railway from Exeter to Plymouth and Torquay in Devon, England. It was a broad gauge railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel-Chronology:* 1844 South Devon Railway Act passed by parliament...
adopted the principle of the new invention.
Jacob also made significant improvements in marine engines. In 1843, he contracted to build the Gypsy Queen, an iron boat to be fitted with his improved engine. On the trial trip, the ship exploded and he met his death along with six other persons.
The Samuda Estate
Samuda Estate
The Samuda Estate is on the east side of Manchester Road, in Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs. With 505 dwellings it is home to about 1,500 people and covers .-Historical background:...
, on the site of his shipyard in Cubitt Town
Cubitt Town
Cubitt Town is an area on the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets in London, England. It is on the east of the Isle, facing Greenwich across the River Thames. To the west is Millwall, to the northwest Canary Wharf and to the north, across the Blue Bridge, Blackwall...
, is named after him and his brother.
Samuda is buried in the Sephardic Burial Ground in the Mile End Road
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
.