Roderick Chisholm (engineer): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Scottish naval architect (1868–1912)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Roderick Chisholm

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1868|12|20}}

| nationality = Scottish

| birth_place = [[Dumbarton]], Dunbartonshire, Scotland

| birth_name = Roderick Chisholm

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|1912|4|15|1868|12|20}}

| birth_date = December 20, 1868

| birth_place = [[Dumbarton]], Dunbartonshire, Scotland

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|1912|4|15|1868}}

| death_place = {{RMS|Titanic}}, Atlantic Ocean

| known_for = ArchitectNaval architect – {{RMS|Titanic}}

| occupation = [[Shipbuilding|Shipbuilder]]

| spouse = {{marriage|Susan Anderson|1897-1912}}

| children = {{UBL| Alice Chisholm (1897–2002) | James Chisholm (1899–1960) }}

| children =

* Alice Chisholm (1897–2002)

* James Chisholm (1899–1960)

}}

'''Roderick Chisholm''' (December 20 December 1868 – 15 April 1912) was a Scottish ships' draughtsman who served as chief [[draftsman]] at [[Harland & Wolff]]. He met his demise when he was aboard the [[''{{RMS |Titanic'']]}} when she [[Sinking of the Titanic|sank during her maiden voyage]].

He was notable for designing the [[Olympic-class ocean liner|''Olympic'' class-liners]] amongst longstanding architect [[Alexander Carlisle]] -– until his retirement in 1910 -– as well as [[Thomas Andrews]].

==Early life and education==

Chisholm was born in [[Dumbarton]] onin the 20th of December, 18681872.<ref name=":0">{{Cite webnews |date=12 April 2012 |title=Roderick Robert Chisholm: Men associated with greatness |url=https://www.findagraveproquest.com/memorialdocview/172160768/roderick-robert-chisholm1001025436 |access-date=2024-0702-2125 |websitework=www.findagrave.comBelfast Telegraph |languageid=en-GB{{ProQuest|1001025436}} }}</ref> FromBeginning 1881in onwards1881, the family residedlived withinin the village of [[Old Kilpatrick]], until a decade afterwards where in 1891 they were recorded to be living in[[Dunbartonshire]], [[ClydebankScotland]].

==Occupation==

in 1891 Chisholm moved to [[Clydebank]]. He worked for [[Harland & Wolff|Harland and Wolff]] at their Clyde works.<ref name=":0" />{{verify inline|date=July 2024}} The subsequent year, he moved to [[Belfast]] to work in their primary shipyards, where he rapidly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a draftsman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Chisholm |url=https://www.titanicbelfast.com/history-of-titanic/titanic-stories/roderick-chisholm/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.titanicbelfast.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

At some point over the next six years, he met his wife, Susan Anderson, before subsequently marrying her in [[Lisburn]], County Down in 1897; They had two children, Alice in 1897, and James in 1899. They moved into the [[Pottinger (District Electoral Area)|Pottinger]] area of eastern Belfast shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Chisholm |url=https://titanic.fandom.com/wiki/Roderick_Chisholm |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.titanic.fandom.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===''Titanic''===

Chisholm worked with Andrews and Carlisle on the design of the ''Olympic'' and ''[[Titanic]]'', having a paramount role in conceiving her structure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Chisholm on the Titanic

|url=https://roderickchisholm.wordpress.com/notes/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.roderickchisholm.wordpress.com |date=13 November 2013 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was selected as one amidst nine other Harland & Wolff employees to witness the smooth operation of ''Titanic''{{'s}} maiden voyage, in what was known as the "[[Guarantee Group]]", a team dedicated towards appointing those who have esteemed themselves in merit throughout the vessels' own development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harland & Wolff: Titanic Guarantee Group |url=https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-guarantee-group/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.encyclopedia-titanica.org |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Throughout the voyage on ''Titanic'', he participated in regular inspection of her mechanisms as well as functions, routinely writing notes regarding their overall status before disclosing them with Andrews. Should any anomalies have been discovered during the journey, they were swiftly recorded within the ships' entries in the logbook. She then would have underwentundergone immediate changes as soon as possible following the maiden voyage. Chisholm regularly spent his leisure within first class discussing business and politics amongst other passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Voyage and Outcome |url=https://roderickchisholm.wordpress.com/voyage-and-outcome/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.roderickchisholm.wordpress.com |date=15 November 2013 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On the night of 14 April 1912, the ''Titanic'' fatally struck an iceberg before sinking two hours and fourtyforty-minutes later; Chisholm never survived.<ref>''Belfast Weekly News'', 25th25 April, 1912, The Queen's Island Representatives.</ref> His body, if recovered, was never identified.<ref>''Larne Times'', 27th27 April, 1912, Queen's Island, a day of mourning.</ref> His assets amounted to about 140 pounds, of which his widow became the beneficiary, worth just over £20,000 todayin modern terms, on 10 June 1912.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Chisholm -– Member of the Harland & Wolff Guarantee Group |url=https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-victim/roderick-chisholm.html |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.encyclopedia-titanica.org |date=31 October 1999 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Personal life and legacy ==

In 1897, he married Susan Anderson in [[Lisburn]], County Down; the couple had two children: Alice (1897–2002) and James (1899–1960), both born in [[Belfast]].{{fact|date=July 2024}}

His wife remained at Sandford Avenue, in [[Pottinger (District Electoral Area)|Pottinger]] (Belfast) for the rest of her life and died on 22 February 1961 at the age of 87. She is buried in [[Roselawn Cemetery]], Belfast, with her son and daughter. His daughter Alice married in Belfast in 1919 with Alfred McCambley (1894–1976) and died on 11 February 2002 at the age of 104 and she is also buried in the Roselawn Cemetery. His son James, never marrying, later followed his own profession as a draughtsman, and received ownership of his late father's residence until he died on 18 September 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Robert Crispin Chisholm |url=https://www.geni.com/people/Roderick-Chisholm/6000000015928049434 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.geni.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Portrayals==

His wife remained at Sandford Avenue, in [[Pottinger (District Electoral Area)|Pottinger]] (Belfast) for the rest of her life and died on 22 February 1961 at the age of 87. She is buried in [[Roselawn Cemetery]], Belfast, with her son and daughter. His daughter Alice married in Belfast in 1919 with Alfred McCambley (1894–1976) and died on 11 February 2002 at the age of 104 and she is also buried in the Roselawn Cemetery. His son James, never marrying, later followed his own profession as a draughtsman, and received ownership of his late father's residence until he died on 18 September 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roderick Robert Crispin Chisholm |url=https://www.geni.com/people/Roderick-Chisholm/6000000015928049434 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.geni.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

* Christopher Patrick Nolan (2005) - ''Titanic: Birth of a Legend''; TV Documentary

== References ==