Born in the year 1830, at the Manse of Barry, Forfarshire, of which parish his father was minister. Received his education at the Burgh School of Arbroath, and subsequently at the University of Edinburgh. After serving the customary term of apprenticeship, as an engineer, with Mr Robert Napier of the Vulcan Foundry, Glasgow, was for several years in the drawing office of Messrs Maudsley Sons & Field, London. Removed from London to Bathgate as manager of Young’s Parafin Oil Works, first at Bathgate and then at West Calder, during which period he introduced many improvements in the apparatus employed, notably in shale breaking and cooling machinery. About 1870 became manager of the Engineering Department in the works of Messrs John Elder & Co., Glasgow, a post which he held till 1877, when, along with his present partners, he purchased the celebrated Shipbuilding & Engineering Works, Govan, established and so long carried on by the Napier family, and still conducted under the old designation of Robert Napier & Sons. While with Messrs Elder & Co., Mr KIRK introduced the principle of triple expansion in marine engines, a departure which has since been followed with notable success in several of the larger vessels turned out by Messrs R. Napier & Sons, fuller reference to which is made in the body of this work. [Illustration: Alexander C. Kirk (signature) INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & C^o. LONDON.] PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. BENJAMIN MARTELL. BENJAMIN MARTELL. CHIEF SURVEYOR, LLOYDS’ REGISTER OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN SHIPPING; MEMBER OF THE IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE, AND MEMBER OF COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS. Mr Martell served the term of apprenticeship and was educated as a Naval Architect in the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth, during a portion of which time he was engaged under Mr John Fincham, Master Shipwright, in preparing designs of war ships for the Royal Navy. Subsequently he became manager for a private shipbuilding firm, and in 1856 was appointed a surveyor to Lloyds’ Register of British and Foreign Shipping, for which important Society he has been Chief Surveyor during the last twelve years. Is a Member of Council of the Institution of Naval Architects, and takes an active part in the annual proceedings of that Institution, being the author of several papers on important professional subjects read before its members. Is the author of Rules and Tables for determining the Freeboard of Merchant Steamers and Sailing Vessels, which, issued under the authority of Lloyds’ Register, have met with pretty wide acceptance amongst shipowners. Was deputed by the Committee of Lloyds’ Register to represent them on the Government Departmental Committee appointed to enquire into the Load Line of Vessels. [Illustration: B. Martell (signature) INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & C^o. LONDON.] PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. WILLIAM H. WHITE. WILLIAM HENRY WHITE.