OBITUARY. 389 



The first self-propelled torpedoes, torpedo boats, destroyers, submarine boats, etc., were 

 all developed umler Mr. Roelker's supervision. 



When the works closed down on the death of Mr. DeLamater and Captain Ericsson in 

 1889, Mr. Roelker opened an office in Maiden Lane, doing a general mechanical and marine 

 engineering practice, and making in later years a specialty of the Allen Dense Air Ice Ma- 

 chine, principally for the U. S. Navy. 



Mr. Roelker was most helpful in extending the facilities of the works to the students 

 of Columbia College, School of Mines, Yale College, Sheffield Scientific School, Stevens In- 

 stitute of Technology, etc., who came there with their professors and spent several days and 

 reporting their observations in their classes later. 



He was most genial and helpful as head of his department, and many young engineers 

 who served under him succeeded in after life as the result largely of his encouragement. 



He belonged to the Arion, Liedercranz, Columbia Yacht, and Engineers Clubs, and the 

 American Society of Mechanical Engineers, was also the first vice-president of the Ameri- 

 can Society of Refrigerating Engineers, and was a Trustee of Die Deutsche Gesellschaft 

 and incorporator and director of the Maiden Lane Savings Bank. His wife survives him. 



Mr. Roelker died on April 18, 1921, and had been a member of this Society since its 

 organization. 



JAMES PRENTICE SNEDDON 



MEMBER 



The untimely death of Mr. James Prentice Sneddon while at the height of his mental 

 and physical vigor removed a strong personality which was widely known throughout ma- 

 rine circles, and, indeed, in all engineering circles where there is appreciation of the high- 

 est-class work fabricated under supervisory ability of the highest grade. 



For more than a score of years Mr. Sneddon had been identified with the manufacture 

 of high-class steam boilers, at first with the Stirling Company, and for the last fifteen years 

 with the Babcock & Wilcox Company, of which he was general superintendent in charge of 

 manufacturing. His career is a testimony to what can be accomplished by native ability of 

 a high order when backed by untiring energy and devotion to work in spite of the lack 

 of early opportunities. 



He was bom in Newmains, Scotland, July 7, 1863, came to the United States when 

 fourteen years old, and attended school at St. Louis and Carbondale, Illinois. After some 

 preliminary work on leaving school, be became satisfied that his abilities were along mechani- 

 cal lines and learned the machinist's trade with the Rankine & Fritsch Company of St. 

 Louis. A few years later he was master mechanic of the Crystal Plate Glass Company at 

 Crystal, Mo., but soon returned to the Rankine & Fritsch Company as its manager. 



The panic of 1893 changed his plans and he was employed with various companies until 

 he joined the Stirling Company in 1899, at its plant at Barberton, Ohio. Shortly after his 

 arrival he was made superintendent in general charge of manufacturing, and greatly im- 

 proved the ship methods and the product of the company. In 1906, when the Stirling 

 Company was taken over by the Babcock & Wilcox Company, he became the general super- 

 intendent in charge of all the manufacturing plants. This position he held during the re- 

 mainder of his life. 



