John Aird & Co.

John Aird & Co. was once a leading British civil engineering business based in London.

Early history

The company was founded in 1848 by John Aird (1800 - 1876) with the objective of laying mains for gas and water companies in London. [http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/holmes_portraits.pdf Holmes portraits] ]

In 1851 Aird was joined by his son, also called John, and the business was for a while known as "John Aird & Sons". John Aird, Jnr was the real driver behind the business.

tructure

In the 1860's the business began collaborating with Lucas Brothers and their combined businesses were reorganised:
* Lucas Brothers - Building
* Lucas & Aird - Railway work and civil engineering
* John Aird & Sons - Water and gas contracts

In 1895, when Sir Charles Lucas died, the businesses were reorganised again:
* John Aird & Co. - Railway work and civil enfgineering
* Aird & Sons - Water and gas contracts

Major projects

Major projects involving these companies included:
* Re-locating Crystal Palace to Sydenham in 1851
* Blackfriars Railway Bridge completed 1866 [ [http://thames.me.uk/s00090.htm Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide] ]
* Millwall Docks completed 1868 [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46505 British history on line] ]
* The Aswan Dam completed 1902 [ [http://www.collectstocks.com/egyptbond.html Egypt bond] ]

=Other work= Other company projects included the construction of reservoirs at Hampton and Staines in Middlesex, the Beckton plant of the Gas Light and Coke Company, and Brighton's sewerage system. Overseas projects included waterworks in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Berlin, and gasworks in Copenhagen and Moscow. In joint venture with other contractors, Aird & Sons constructed the Calcutta waterworks.

The business undertook a considerable amount of railways and docks work. Projects included stretches of the Metropolitan and District Lines in London, the Royal Albert Dock, Tilbury Docks, East and West India Docks extension, Millom harbour in Cumbria, and the West Highland railway line. Overseas, the firm built the Suakin to Berber railway in Sudan. Following the death of the previous contractor (Thomas Walker), Aird's firm also completed the Manchester Ship Canal.

Other schemes included the Royal Edward Dock at Avonmouth (1902-1908), and dock works in Singapore.

Demise of the business

The business was still continuing in the 1990's under the leadership of Sir John Aird, 4th Baronet although no longer undertaking major civil engineering work.

References