Thomas A. Walker
Encyclopedia
Thomas Andrew Walker was an English civil engineering
contractor.
Walker was born at Brewood
in Staffordshire
. He was educated at King's College London
. After his work on the Grand Trunk Railway
of Canada in 1852 and extensive surveys in Russia, Egypt and Sudan, in years 1863–1865, he was offered, and accepted, the management of the construction of the Metropolitan District Railway
. He was then entrusted with the still more difficult work of completing the Severn Tunnel
at the request of Sir John Hawkshaw
. Thomas A. Walker was engaged for seven years in the construction of this tunnel. When he began work on the project he had already accumulated considerable experience in railway survey and construction throughout Canada, Russia, Egypt and England. In writing his memoirs of his work on the Severn Tunnel he states: 'Sub-aqueous tunnels have recently become quite the fashion. One such experience as the Severn Tunnel, with its ever-varying and strangely contorted strata, and the dangers from floods above and floods below, has been sufficient for me. One sub-aqueous tunnel is quite enough for a lifetime.'.' The tunnel was completed in 1887, having a length of 4 miles 628 yards (7668 yard).
Other works that he undertook were the Barry Dock and Railway, and the Preston Dock, and in addition he carried out the contract for the Buenos Aires Harbour Works
. His final undertaking was the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal
which has been described as the greatest engineering achievement of Victorian times, whether this is true or not, it is certainly an immense achievement and transformed an inland city into a major port. Thomas Andrew Walker was engaged as sole contractor in charge of the construction and he divided the thirty-six mile route into nine (soon reduced to eight) sections and appointed an engineer to take charge of each. Walker was known to be an excellent employer, looking after the needs of his workforce as best as he could and provided accommodation, meeting halls and hospital facilities. Regretably, Thomas Andrew Walker died before the completion of this work in late 1889 at the age of 61.
After his death his contracts were continued by his Executors and subsequently by the formation of C. H. Walker & Son Ltd. by Thomas's brother Charles.
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
contractor.
Walker was born at Brewood
Brewood
Brewood refers both to a settlement, which was once a town but is now a village, in South Staffordshire, England, and to the civil parish of which it is the centre. Located around , Brewood village lies near the River Penk, eight miles north of Wolverhampton city centre and eleven miles south of...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. He was educated at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
. After his work on the Grand Trunk Railway
Grand Trunk Railway
The Grand Trunk Railway was a railway system which operated in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the American states of Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The railway was operated from headquarters in Montreal, Quebec; however, corporate...
of Canada in 1852 and extensive surveys in Russia, Egypt and Sudan, in years 1863–1865, he was offered, and accepted, the management of the construction of the Metropolitan District Railway
Metropolitan District Railway
The Metropolitan District Railway was the predecessor of the District line of the London Underground. Set up on 29 July 1864, at first to complete the "Inner Circle" railway around central London, it was gradually extended into the suburbs...
. He was then entrusted with the still more difficult work of completing the Severn Tunnel
Severn Tunnel
The Severn Tunnel is a railway tunnel in the United Kingdom, linking South Gloucestershire in the west of England to Monmouthshire in south Wales under the estuary of the River Severn....
at the request of Sir John Hawkshaw
John Hawkshaw
Sir John Hawkshaw , was an English civil engineer.-Early life:He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire and was educated at Leeds Grammar School...
. Thomas A. Walker was engaged for seven years in the construction of this tunnel. When he began work on the project he had already accumulated considerable experience in railway survey and construction throughout Canada, Russia, Egypt and England. In writing his memoirs of his work on the Severn Tunnel he states: 'Sub-aqueous tunnels have recently become quite the fashion. One such experience as the Severn Tunnel, with its ever-varying and strangely contorted strata, and the dangers from floods above and floods below, has been sufficient for me. One sub-aqueous tunnel is quite enough for a lifetime.'.' The tunnel was completed in 1887, having a length of 4 miles 628 yards (7668 yard).
Other works that he undertook were the Barry Dock and Railway, and the Preston Dock, and in addition he carried out the contract for the Buenos Aires Harbour Works
Port of Buenos Aires
The Port of Buenos Aires is the principal maritime port in Argentina. Operated by the Administración General de Puertos , a State enterprise, it is the leading transshipment point for the foreign trade of Argentina....
. His final undertaking was the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal
Manchester Ship Canal
The Manchester Ship Canal is a river navigation 36 miles long in the North West of England. Starting at the Mersey Estuary near Liverpool, it generally follows the original routes of the rivers Mersey and Irwell through the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Several sets of locks lift...
which has been described as the greatest engineering achievement of Victorian times, whether this is true or not, it is certainly an immense achievement and transformed an inland city into a major port. Thomas Andrew Walker was engaged as sole contractor in charge of the construction and he divided the thirty-six mile route into nine (soon reduced to eight) sections and appointed an engineer to take charge of each. Walker was known to be an excellent employer, looking after the needs of his workforce as best as he could and provided accommodation, meeting halls and hospital facilities. Regretably, Thomas Andrew Walker died before the completion of this work in late 1889 at the age of 61.
After his death his contracts were continued by his Executors and subsequently by the formation of C. H. Walker & Son Ltd. by Thomas's brother Charles.