Background
MATTHEWS, Thomas was born on August 28, 1849. Son of late John Matthew's, Penzance.
MATTHEWS, Thomas was born on August 28, 1849. Son of late John Matthew's, Penzance.
Penzance.
An Assistant in Engineer’s Department of Trinity House, 1873. Selected by Honourable Corporation of Trinity House to proceed to Island of Minicoy in the Indian Ocean for the purpose of reporting on a proposed lighthouse thereat, 1881. Has designed and erected new' lighthouses at Spurn, East Usk, Withernsea, Blacknore, Lundy North, Lundy South, St. Mary, Foreland, Pendeen, Dungeness High and Low, Beachy Head, Portland Bill, Berry Head, Strumble Head, and Cape Pembroke (Falkland Islands), as wrell as carried out other important works.
Advises the Crown Agents tor the Colonies and the India Office relative to lighthouse matters. Has also designed and improved the lighted gas-buoy and beacon systems of the Trinity House, and designed an incandescent oil burner for service in lighthouses (instead of the concentric oil burner previously installed), by the use of which the intensity of the lights has been considerably improved, and the annual expenditure of oil greatly lessened. Has introduced several important improvements in coast signals, and devised a manual fog signal for use on board light vessels in lieu of the gongs formerly employed.
Devised apparatus for, and assisted the Trinity House in carrying out, several series of important experiments w ith a view to the improvement of coast lights and fog signals. Is a Member of the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Engineer-in-Chief to the Trinity House since 1892.
Club: St. Stephen’s.
Spouse 1875, Frances, daughter of late H. Blackwell.