Robert Thom (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Thom was a Scottish civil engineer
who worked upon major hydraulic projects on the Isle of Bute
and Inverclyde
. On Bute, he created aquaducts to increase the flow of water which powered the cotton mill
s there, so that their capacity was increased. This economic success resulted in him becoming the laird of Ascog
. He then created a major reservoir to supply Greenock
which is named after him — Loch Thom
.
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...
who worked upon major hydraulic projects on the Isle of Bute
Isle of Bute
Bute is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Formerly part of the county of Buteshire, it now constitutes part of the council area of Argyll and Bute. Its resident population was 7,228 in April 2001.-Geography:...
and Inverclyde
Inverclyde
Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Together with the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire council areas, Inverclyde forms part of the historic county of Renfrewshire - which current exists as a registration county and lieutenancy area - located in the west...
. On Bute, he created aquaducts to increase the flow of water which powered the cotton mill
Cotton mill
A cotton mill is a factory that houses spinning and weaving machinery. Typically built between 1775 and 1930, mills spun cotton which was an important product during the Industrial Revolution....
s there, so that their capacity was increased. This economic success resulted in him becoming the laird of Ascog
Ascog
Ascog is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is largely residential and is located on the east coast of the Isle of Bute. It contains Ascog House and the Italianate style Balmory Hall....
. He then created a major reservoir to supply Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
which is named after him — Loch Thom
Loch Thom
Loch Thom is a reservoir which since 1827 has provided a water supply to the town of Greenock in Inverclyde, Scotland. It is named after the civil engineer Robert Thom who designed the scheme which created the reservoir and delivered water via a long aqueduct known as The Cut...
.