Abstract
SIR JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT, whose death on June 28 we much regret to announce, was born on Feb. 1, 1843, at Rome, He was eldest son of Thomas Thornycroft, a sculptor, who had married Mary, the daughter of John Prancis, who had taught him his art. Sir William Hamo Thornycroft, the sculptor, was another son of Thomas Thornycroft. Educated first at private schools, Sir John Thornycroft became a student of the University of Glasgow, and there came under the influence of Rankine and Kelvin. After gaining some experience in shops in the north of England, in 1866, the same year that Sir Alfred Yarrow started at Poplar, he began boat building at Chiswick, and soon became known for his success with steam-boat machinery. The little Miranda, built in 1871, was only 45½ feet long, but created considerable stir by steaming at 16¼ knots.
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Sir John Isaac Thornycroft, F.R.S. Nature 122, 64–65 (1928). https://doi.org/10.1038/122064a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/122064a0