OBITUARY. 381 



Upon returning from Europe in 1872, Mr. Forbes began his professional career with 

 the Delamater Iron Works, at that time located on West 11th Street, New York City. Fol- 

 lowing this, he became engineer of the Gould Sprinkler Company, 237 Broadway, New York. 

 He then spent two years in Kingston, Jamaica, as operating engineer for the Watson Sugar 

 Plantation Company, and in 1878 was appointed by Governor Palmer of Colorado as chief 

 engineer of the Gunnison Division of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company with 

 iieadquarters at Gunnison, Colo. 



Returning east after two years, he became superintendent of the Eaton, Cole & Bumham 

 Manufacturing Company, Bridgeport, Conn. At this time he invented the Forbes patent die 

 stock and, forming a partnership with Roderick P. Curtis of Bridgeport, took up the manu- 

 facture of this specialty, selling his interest to the Curtis family in 1888. 



As Mr. Forbes was chiefly interested in the development and manufacture of high-speed 

 marine engines and other marine machinery, he came to New York and, entering into partner- 

 ship with the late Col. E. A. Stevens, established the W. D. Forbes Company in Hoboken, 

 N. J., for the manufacture of marine engines and ice machines for the Government and for 

 owners of private yachts. For sixteen years this plant, known to many as the "gun shop" 

 on account of Mr. Forbes' interest in the development of rapid-fire machine guns, was in 

 active operation in Hoboken, after which it was moved to New London, Conn., where later, 

 owing to unfavorable business conditions, the business was discontinued. 



In 1914 Mr. Forbes was stricken with brain fever, resulting in total blindness. During 

 the last years of his life, although deprived of sight, Mr. Forbes continued his professional 

 activities in the design and development of mechanical devices, including a successful auto- 

 matic rifle, and in contributing to the engineering press. 



Mr. Forbes was an active member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine En- 

 gineers since 1898, serving several terms as a member of the Council. He was also a mem- 

 ber of the Engineers' Club of New York, an associate member of the American Society of 

 Naval Engineers, and a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 

 Apart from his professional career, his interests were many and varied. For nine years he 

 was a member of the Board of Education of New Jersey, and for several years was in 

 charge of the colored school at BordentoAvn, N. J. He is survived by a wife, a daughter, 

 widow of Lieutenant Murray E. Cramer, of the 107th Infantry, and a son, Reginald D., who 

 is State Forester of Louisiana. 



To those who were privileged to know and work with Mr. Forbes, his life will always be 

 an inspiration, not only because of his ability and achievements, but also because of the brave 

 and generous spirit which marked his cheerful and helpful association with his fellow-men. 



Mr. Forbes died on February 17, 1921, at his son's home in New Orleans, La. 



WILLIAM EDMOND FRANCIS 



MEMBER 



Mr. Francis was born in Wales, July, 1875. He served an apprenticeship at Millbrook 

 Engineering Co., Swansea, South Wales. He then entered the sea service of the B. C. S. N. 

 Co. and China Mutual S. N. Co. He obtained an extra first class engineer's certificate and 

 was later assistant manager of the Mercantile Pontoon Dry Dock, Cardiff, South Wales, 



