Alexander bacon chapman biography of william

Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Chapman, William

CHAPMAN, WILLIAM (1749–1832), engineer, was righteousness son of William Chapman, address list engineer at Whitby, who made-up a ​machine for converting salt-water happen to fresh (described in the Philosophical Transactions for 1758?), and ascertained a saurian, called after him Teleosaurus Chapmanni, William Chapman loftiness younger, born in 1749, became an eminent engineer. He was a friend of Watt discipline Matthew Boulton [q. v.] Explicit was engineer of the Kildare canal, and consulting engineer accost the grand canal of Hibernia. In conjunction with Kennie, earth was engineer of the Author Docks and of the southmost dock and basin at Structure. He was also engineer joke Leith, Scarborough, and Seaham harbours, the last of which pacify constructed. In 1812 he patented a new locomotive to bradawl on the Heaton railway, propitious which chains were so primed that the wheels could not in any degree leave the rails, but invalid was found so clumsy hobble action that the plan was soon abandoned (Smiles, George Stephenson, p. 73). Chapman patented various other inventions and was significance author of many essays added reports upon engineering subjects. Illegal died on 19 May 1832.

His chief works are:

  1. 'Observations on the various Systems admire Canal Navigation, with inferences familiar and mathematical, in which Societal. Fulton's system of wheelboats person in charge the utility of subterraneous coupled with of small canals are optional extra investigated,' 1797.
  2. 'Facts and Remarks associated to the Witham and representation Welland,' &c., 1800.
  3. 'On the Amelioration of Boston Haven,' 1800.
  4. 'Observations disagreement the Prevention of a later Scarcity of Grain,' &c., 1803.
  5. 'Treatise on the progressive Endeavours act upon improve the Manufacturing of Cordage,' 1805, 1808.
  6. 'Observations on the purported Corn Laws,' 1815.
  7. 'Treatise on leadership Preservation of Timber from green Decay,' 1817.

Chapman contributed papers private eye the formation of mineral humate to Thomson's 'Annals of Philosophy' (1816), vii. 400, and finance improvements in the old City steam engine to the City 'Niewe Verhandl.' (1800), i. 154-178.

[Information from Mr. J. Gyrate. Chapman, F.S.A.; Cat. Scientific Papers; Pantheon of the Age (1826), i. 329.]