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Description: | A hexagonal structure with sloping roof, covered in red tiles which are now rather blackened. These are moulded in two designs, each repeated three times around the work, depicting abstracted cog and machine parts. Additional Information: Charles Algernon Parsons (1854-1931) was born in London of wealthy parents and brought up in Ireland. He studied engineering at Cambridge before entering Armstrong's Elswick works as a 'premium apprentice' in 1877. He concentrated on increasing the power produced by steam turbine engines and by 1887 his turbo-alternator was supplying electricity to Newcastle. The period was one of intense competition between rival engineering firms and Parsons became embroiled in a number of patent disputes in the 1880s. However, he turned his attention to ship propulsion and built the 'Turbinia', a small sleek turbine-powered vessel which could manage 35 knots with significant fuel savings. Parsons also experimented with artificial diamonds and astronomical telescopes. He died on holiday in the Caribbean and is buried in Kirkwhelpington cemetery.(1) Details of Parsons' life and achievements are displayed in Newcastle's Discovery Museum, where the carefully restored 'Turbinia' takes pride of place. | Subjects: | Sculpture | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Sculptor: Hamilton, David | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=7540... | Go to resource |
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