SMEATON, John (1724-1792). Civil engineer.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed to [Charles] Blagden, secretary to the Royal Society, 2 closely-written pages 4to with address-leaf and red wax seal, Austhorpe, 22 August 1786. Commenting on the recent minute of the Longitude and Latitude of York, 'the best determination we have had', providing further calculations for Austhorpe, and commenting on the recent weather which has affected his observations.

'... I kept my letter open in hopes to have got a Transit of the Sun; to have ascertained the going of the Clock since the 16th: and this morning afforded some transitory gleams ... and then came on a great black cloud. Notwithstanding watching every opportunity, I have had but 3 Transits since I came home. ...'

Smeaton withdrew from active work in civil engineering for three years following the death of his wife Ann on her 59th birthday in January 1784. A disastrous project resulting in the collapse of Hexham Bridge in 1782 had also contributed. Smeaton refers to this in his lengthy postscript:

'.. as you probably may go to see the Pier and works at Whitby if you mention me to Mr Pickernel the Engineer, he will be particularly attentive to you: not that he wants natural civility. I recomended him to the trustees, upon the merit of his having acquitted himself, not only to my own, but every ones satisfaction, as resident surveyor to my unfortunate work of Hexham Bridge. ...'

Smeaton concludes in his postscript with a detailed description of Ruswarps Mill near Whitby, noting:

'... it has many very ingenious contrivances about it, but it is totally deficient in that branch of the art, that I have principally cultivated; that is the art of producing the greatest degree of Power, with a given quantity of water and fall.'

During this period of retirement from active work, Smeaton began the lengthy task of writing his Narrative of the Building ... of the Eddystone Lighthouse'.
Charles Blagden (1748-1820) was Secretary of the Royal Society from 1784 to 1797.
[No: 26539]