Col. Richard Saxton White

Bro. Richard Saxton White was born in Southampton on June 15th 1847, son of Captain Richard White of the Royal Navy and the P&O Line. After serving his apprenticeship with Day, Summers and Co of Southampton he was then associated with W. Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton as a draughtsman, and subsequently with Robert Napier and Sons in Glasgow. In 1875 he was appointed manager of Barrow shipbuilding company, in this position of manager he was also designed and constructed large steamers which included The SS City of Rome. In 1883 Richard became the manager of Walker shipyard in Newcastle where he was involved with the development and construction of bulk petroleum vessels, as well as other passenger, ice breakers and general trade vessels. Richard moved back to Glasgow with the appointment of manager and director of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and engineering company, Richard at the time worked under Bro. Sir William Pearce PGM (1880—89). Here he designed the Cunard Campania and Luciana and other cross-channel vessels. Mr Richard Saxton White, the latest general manager of Fairfield Shipbuilding yard, is about to take a trip to the United States as a guest of Cunard. He is to make his voyage across the Atlantic on the Luciana one of the noble ships which he was largely concerned in designing and building as his last piece of work for the Fairfield company.

In 1896 Colonel White returned to the Walker shipyard as general manager and local director, where under his direction many unique designs were developed and important, vessels constructed. On the amalgamation of the Armstrong and Walker shipyards in 1919 he was appointed consultative general manager, which position he held up to his retirement in December, 1920.

For many years Colonel White took an active interest in the Volunteer and Territorial Forces and served in all ranks. In 1992 he succeeded Colonel Swan in the command of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers; he held the Volunteer Decoration.

Elected a member of the Institute of Metals on May 12, 1911. Colonel White was also a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Naval Architects (of which he was a

Vice-President), the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland, and the

North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, of which he was a Past-

President. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, and a Freeman of the City of London. Colonel White served on the Commission appointed by the Home Office for the consideration of the Census of Production question. In 1920 Colonel Richard Saxton White was President of the North east coast of institutional engineers and shipbuilders.

Bro. White died on August 13th 1922 at his home in Bournemouth; his estimated worth at his death was £59.000. Bro. White was initiated into Lodge Pollok No.772 in 1892 (below) which was only 2 years old at this point.

Thanks to PGL of Glasgow website.