Background
Mr. Hung was born in Fuzhou, Fujian, China, in 1899.
Mr. Hung was born in Fuzhou, Fujian, China, in 1899.
Hung David Shen graduated from Tsinghua College (later Tsinghua University), Peking, in 1920. He went to the United States and entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, to study civil engineering, graduating from the Institute in 1924 and awarded the degree of Civil Engineer.
Both in and after college, Mr. Hung identified himself with many leading firms such as the New York Central Railroad, New York, Waddell & Son, Consulting Engineers, New York, Acme Corporation, New York, Bethlehem Steel Company, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, J. Harold Rapp & Company, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.
Hung David Shen returned to China at the end of 1926, and started his career as a civil engineer. From 1927 to 1928 he served as technical expert to the Fujian Construction Commission and concurrently director of the Fujian Provincial Conservancy Works.
In 1929 he was transferred to the - National Construction Commission, Nanjing and served until 1932 in various capacities such as technical expert to the Commission, head of the Design Division of the Conservancy Department, head of Harbor and Water Power Division of the Conservancy Department, and co-director of the Great Eastern Port Development Board. In the spring of 1933 Mr. Hung was temporarily transferred to help the Anhui Construction Commission and rendered great assistance to the Commission.
When Chang Ching-kiang sponsored the Wuhu-Chapu Railroad Project in the latter part of 1933. Hung David Shen was appointed assistant chief engineer for the Railway and in the same year. He was appointed chief engineer in sole charge of the design and construction of the new railway.