Jim Wilson and H.M.S. "Warrior" (1860)

HMS “WARRIOR” (1860): ENGINE, BOILERS AND FUNNELS

The engineering aspect of “Warrior’s” restoration at Hartlepool began with the appointment by the Warrior Preservation Trust of Jim Wilson as Project Engineer on 19 November 1984.  It must be understood that all of the old warship’s plant and machinery had been stripped out and scrapped in 1902, prior to her use as a torpedo-school training ship at Portsmouth and her subsequent transfer to Pembroke Dock as an oil-fuel hulk.

As Project Engineer, Jim was assisted by two highly competent draughtsmen – Mick Cookland and John Pouton.  The former was an experienced mechanical engineer to whom Jim could entrust several elements of detail design.  The latter drew out much of the pipework associated with the work, also proving to be a valuable asset.  Mick began his employment with WPT on 20 May 1985 and John started work on 20 October that year.  A trainee technical clerk, employed from 22 April 1985 and responsible for document collation, filing etc., completed the engineering staff.  The Engineering Department itself was situated on the ground floor of WPT’s offices, the old Customs House in Victoria Terrace.  It was there that Jim’s paternal grandfather, Thomas George Wilson, sat and passed his Board of Trade examination as a first-class marine engineer.  Jim Wilson occupied the office to the right of the main entrance, the remaining staff being found on the opposite side of the corridor.

Jim’s duties included the interviewing and appointment of project engineering personnel, both blue and white collar, together with the selection of sub-contractors.  In this regard he was able to draw upon a pool of highly skilled tradesmen and local firms.  Many of Jim’s squad were ex-shipyard workers from the respected West Hartlepool firm of Wm. Gray & Co.  Others, such as John Pouton, and Leo Gofton, the plater-supervisor, had worked at the equally renowned local engine builders, Richardsons, Westgarth & Co.  The craftsmanship and dedication of these men was superb.

Jim served his apprenticeship as a marine engineer with the Central Marine Engine Works of Grays shipyard between 1943 and 1948, later working for “Richies” supervising the building and fitting of marine steam turbines for tankers built by the Furness shipyard of Haverton Hill.  An ex-Merchant Navy engineer-officer, he’d also held positions in the nuclear, steelmaking, forging and engineering service industries.  Nevertheless, Jim’s praise of the engineering team he’d so carefully assembled for the “Warrior” job was unequivocal.  They were, he said, the best he’d ever worked with.

This formidable combination of knowledge, skills and experience enabled work to progress both efficiently and effectively towards a highly successful conclusion.  This was in spite of the considerable technical difficulty inherent in the work, the extremely limited quayside workshop facilities, a tight schedule (with an end date imposed by the Board of the WPT) and severe budgetary constraints.  Jim’s was the “master mind” behind the problem solving and the workload, including the need to balance all necessary variables, together with the consequent strain placed upon him, was immense.  The magnitude of his achievement, completed in such a short space of time, should not be underestimated.  Only those with some understanding of complex engineering projects will appreciate the numerous and diverse challenges associated with the task.  These were both technical (e.g. structural, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic) and managerial (planning, organising, controlling and communicating).

“Warrior” received international attention and acclaim.  She was visited by several luminaries, including HRH Prince Philip (twice) and, later, by the Prince of Wales and HM Queen Elizabeth.  Jim was introduced to the first two but was too ill to attend a visit by the third.  In addition, the ship’s recreated plant and machinery received a special award from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers as part of their “Celebrate Engineering” promotion.

Today, “Warrior” is open to the public at Portsmouth Naval Base.  Thanks to Jim Wilson’s tireless energy, his leadership and expertise, together with the undoubted quality of his engineering team, the nation can view the ship’s mighty machinery – with the engine turning over at an illustrative speed – as it first appeared in 1860.  Indeed, the success of Jim’s design and the standard of construction are reflected in the fact that the main engine has now given some 30,000 hours of consistently trouble-free operation.

Sadly, Jim Wilson, C. Eng., M.I.Mar.E., passed away in 1994 – but this author trusts that readers will that, like the ship herself, Jim’s contribution to her restoration should be preserved for posterity.

Stuart James Wilson, Hartlepool, 2002    

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