George CLARK Gent of Friern Barnet [12774]

  General Notes:

George was a ship builder and enginebuilder, he was an early pioneer building iron ships on river Wear.

DEATH OF MR GEORGE CLARK, SENIOR
We regret to have to announce the death of Mr George Clark, sen., engineer, which took place at his residence, Oak Lea Villa, Tunstall Road, this morning. The deceased gentleman had reached the advanced age of 69, and his death marks the removal of one who played an important part in the industrial enterprise of Sunderland. His was a busy life, and before it close he had the satisfaction of developing one of the largest private engineering concerns in the country. For the long period of forty years he had been very much troubled with asthma. His ailment had not recently displayed any very dangerous tendencies until about ten days ago, when he became seriously unwell. He was attended in his last illness by Dr Phillipson, of Newcastle, and Dr Maling, of Sunderland, who administered such relief as was within their skill and power. At four o'clock this morning, however, Mr Clark passed peacefully away. The deceased gentleman was born at Fatfield, in the County of Durham, in the year 1815 and was the son of Mr Wm. Clark, who was for many years manager of the Bishopwaremouth Ironworks. The deceased, in fact, belonged to an old Sunderland family. Like his father, he was an engineer. With his high aims and endeavours he had solid practical knowledge and experience, and these he applied successfully for the carrying out of the great purposes of his life. He was one of the pioneers of the commerce of Sunderland, one who, by his ability, perseverance, and engineering skill, did more for the material welfare of the borough than can be easily and clearly expressed. When comparatively a young man he was a member of the firm of Clark Brothers, who carried on an extensive business in the Wellington lane, known as the Wellington Iron Works. He afterwards went to Consett, as engineer to the Consett Iron Works. He was the first engineer to the company whose extensive works now produce more material than any other in Great Britain. On relinquishing this post he started business on the North Quay, Sunderland. He built the Monkwearmouth Engine Works in the year 1851, and twenty years afterwards commenced the erection of the Southwick Engine Works, whose dimensions maybe calculated when it is stated that they can employ a thousand men when in full swing. When the position which Sunderland now occupies as an important shipbuilding and marine engine manufacturing town are considered, it is interesting to note that Mr George Clark initiated iron shipbuilding on the Wear. The first iron vessel constructed on the river, the Loftus, was built by the deceased, and was launched about the year 1851. He was likewise the "father" of marine engine building on the river, the first engine being built in the same year as the Loftus. The deceased was therefore identified with the beginning of three important industries, the shipbuilding and engineering manufacture of Sunderland and the iron manufacture at Consett. He took no part in public affairs, a fact probably owing to his prolonged ill-health. In politics he was a modern Liberal, and in religion he was a Churchman. The deceased leaves a family of sons and daughters. Funeral: 19 Jan 1855, Sunderland, Co. Durham.
Ref: Sunderland Daily Echo, Tuesday 20th January, 1885

Much more can be found on this family on the John Green Family Tree see http://www.green.gen.name/index.htm

Image courtesy of John Green

George married Jane LOCKIE [23873] [MRIN: 4291], daughter of John LOCKIE [31997] and Agnes CLARK [31998], on 14 Jul 1840 in St Peter Monkwearmouth DUR. (Jane LOCKIE [23873] was born in 1819 in Bishopwearmouth DUR and died on 27 Apr 1882 in Sunderland DUR.)