James White

MR. JAMES WHITE, Manufacturer of Electrical Instruments, Marine and other Appliances, 16 to 20, Cambridge Street, Glasgow.

    In all that pertains to electrical science Sir William Thomson is regarded as a universal genius. To him the world is indebted for some of the most notable inventions of the age, whether as regards terrene or submarine telegraphy. To him, moreover, is due the credit of having devised various electrical and maritime appliances the importance of which cannot be overestimated.

    Practical effect has been given to Sir William Thomson’s inventive genius by Mr. James White, of Cambridge Street, Glasgow, whose speciality is the manufacture of Sir William’s appliances. As may be supposed, this is a manufacture which, involves the most exquisite delicacy of manipulation in order to ensure perfect accuracy of adjustment. Take for example, what is known as the Siphon Recorder, an instrument which may be said to have revolutionised submarine telegraphy. This is an instrument for recording on a moving paper ribbon the right and left movements of a glass siphon acted upon by the successive positive and negative currents which go to make up telegraphic signals. Its extreme sensitiveness enables it to automatically record accurately, in ink, messages sent per cable thousands of miles under water, a record which can be kept for future reference. Indeed, this instrument is, perhaps, the greatest scientific marvel of the age.

    Another department in which the genius of Sir William Thomson is shown, with perhaps even greater effect, is in his inventions for securing safety to life and
property at sea. His Marine Compass and Navigating Sounding Machine are essential to the equipment of the best vessels of the present day. What can be more reassuring to the passengers during a “record run” than to know that the ship’s course is being directed by the best compass that scientific inventiveness and practical skill has devised and of proved reliability ?, and on nearing his destination, whether on business or pleasure bent, he knows the voyage will not be unduly prolonged because of the fog which may envelope the shore obscuring the landmarks, but finds that by the constant use of the sounding machine the Captain knows that his course is leading him direct to the desired haven. The Mariner’s Compass has correctors within and attached to it, by means of which the magnetic errors incidental to the ordinary maritime compasses may be remedied and the most serious of all the dangers attendant upon navigation avoided. The frames of the compass card are made of aluminium and fine silk cord. It carries at its centre a sapphire bearing, the total weight being less than half an ounce. The pivot on which the jewelled bearing rests is pointed with iridium, and, though in use for many years, shows no perceptible wear. A book of instructions has been published concerning the use of Sir William Thomson’s Patent Compass, clearly setting forth the errors to be corrected under any conceivable circumstances and the manner in which this is accomplished.

    Reference has also been made to the Navigational Sounding Machine, which, by means of a novel and highly ingenious Depth Recorder supplied with it, the depth of the sea over which the vessel is steaming at any particular time may be ascertained without the speed of the vessel being reduced. The depth is determined by the compression of air in a closed chamber. The amount of this compression is shown by the pull upon a spring at the end of a piston, and this is registered by a marker, which retains its position when the sinker is drawn up. The ocean therefore registers its own depth when the sinker strikes bottom, and, by an admirable expedient, possible disarrangement of the marker by the sudden shock is obviated. Surely this is a triumph of human intelligence over matter. Sir. William Thomson’s electrical patents are not only marvellous but , are exceedingly numerous. They include marine voltmeters, magneto-static current meters, ampere gauges, electrostatic voltmeters, etc.

    Now, an establishment at which these and other wonderful contrivances are made is one which, in view of what electrical science has already effected and is certain to achieve in the future, must be of profound interest and importance. It follows, moreover, that the principal of such an establishment must be possessed of scientific knowledge, mechanical skill, and adaptability to the ever varying requirements of an astonishingly progressive age such as can scarcely be paralleled in any other vocation. To Mr. David Reid, the managing principal of the business, founded half a century ago by the late Mr. James White, the exercise of these exceptional qualifications must be accorded. As an electrician he is possessed of the highest capability, and he takes a keen, practical, and personal interest in the hundreds of intricate instruments which are being made at one time in the works he directs. Having regard to the nature of the operations carried on and the fact that 200 hands are employed in the various departments, the amount of supervision he has to exercise must be exceedingly exacting.

    His extensive premises in Cambridge Street are five storeys high and have a fine freestone frontage. To the rear of these premises there is another building, also of five floors, making the depth of the combined premises from 150 to 200 feet. The ground floor is occupied mainly as a warehouse for finished instruments ready for consignment to the Admiralty, to foreign stations, or to foreign Governments. As not only metal but woodwork is made at the establishment, one department is devoted to joinery. Compass stands are made here, and in an adjoining room a number of girls are employed in polishing the teak, mahogany, and other woods of which the stands, &c., are constructed. Incidental to this department, also, is the making of boxes for compass cards and balances, etc. In another department the braziers are at work, and there are fully half a dozen rooms fitted up with small metal turning lathes, and in which the processes of boring, screwing, filing, etc., are carried on. It goes without saying that the work throughout the whole establishment is of the most elaborate nature and that the employees must be thoroughly skilled and competent, considering the highly
technical character of the industry with which they are associated.

    The firm manufacture many kinds of electrical apparatus, nearly all the invention of Sir William Thomson. Besides the Siphon Recorder instruments for cable work mentioned above there are many instruments for the measurement of electric currents and pressures. Chief among these are the Standard Electric Balances. Until a few years ago the accurate measurement of electric currents was a matter of much difficulty and labour, but by the invention of his Electric Balances Sir William Thomson has placed in the hands of engineers a means of measuring currents from 1/100 to 10,000 amperes within 1/10 per cent. of accuracy. These instruments are of beautiful finish and are now the recognised standards in all countries of the world. In them, as in all the other manufactures, the object has not only been to secure accuracy but also permanency. For the measurement of electric pressure Sir William Thomson has invented a series of voltmeters dependent for their action upon the same principle as his famous Quadrant Electrometer, which has now become a household word among electricians. By this means he has produced a chain of instruments measuring from 1/100 of a volt to 100,000 volts, which are quite independent of external influences such as temperature, magnetism, etc. These instruments are not only used as standards, but are very largely used as practical indicators in all kinds of electric work.

    Six or seven different stock patterns are manufactured, and the production and testing are matters of considerable interest to technical people. Besides these two main classes of instruments, there are many others designed mainly for use in electric-power and light installations, such as the “Thomson” Ampere Gauges, Engine-room Voltmeters, Marine Voltmeters, and Ampere Meters. For purely laboratory and testing-room work many kinds of apparatus are made, including the now universally used “Thomson” Mirror Galvanometer, Resistance Boxes, and different types of bridges for measurement from the lowest possible to the highest possible resistances. As might be supposed, the testing of such instruments is a matter requiring the employment of a staff of electrical experts and most elaborate standardising arrangements.

    Owing to the rapid progress of electrical engineering it has been found that the present premises have been taxed to their utmost to meet the demands. The firm have consequently made a large addition to their original premises, and a new laboratory with testing apparatus and appliances has been laid down which will be capable of undertaking any electrical testing work which can possibly be required. The furnishing of this department is on the most complete scale, and altogether it bids fair to be the largest as well as the most complete electrical laboratory in the country. The new premises will accommodate about double the number of workers as are employed in the original works. The shops of the new department are lighted throughout by electricity.

Back to Index of Firms (1891)