Thomas Oakes (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Oakes was the Chief Engineer
of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. He was responsible for the design and early construction of the Navigation's Schuylkill River
canals in the early 19th century. Oakes was also instrumental in the design of the Fairmount Water Works
in Philadelphia, and its original three waterwheels in particular.
The Oakes Canal (reach) of the Schuylkill Navigation is named for him, as well as the nearby village of Oaks, Pennsylvania
.
Oakes died after the completion of the Oakes Reach in 1821, from the typhoid fever
that was plaguing the canal workers.
Chief Engineer
In marine transportation, the chief engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. "Chief engineer" is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the entire engine department; the qualification is colloquially called a "chief's...
of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. He was responsible for the design and early construction of the Navigation's Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
canals in the early 19th century. Oakes was also instrumental in the design of the Fairmount Water Works
Fairmount Water Works
The Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was Philadelphia's second municipal waterworks. Designed in 1812 by Frederick Graff and built between 1812 and 1872, it operated until 1909, winning praise for its design and becoming a popular tourist attraction...
in Philadelphia, and its original three waterwheels in particular.
The Oakes Canal (reach) of the Schuylkill Navigation is named for him, as well as the nearby village of Oaks, Pennsylvania
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Oaks is a village located in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Its boundaries are defined in large part by the village's position at the junction of Perkiomen Creek and the Schuylkill River.-History:The two waterways defined much of the...
.
Oakes died after the completion of the Oakes Reach in 1821, from the typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
that was plaguing the canal workers.