An amazing son of Torquay whose work continues to keep everyone at sea safe

Like many sons of famous fathers Robert Edmund Froude has been virtually forgotten since moving from Torquay to Gosport. As his father's assistant at the Admiralty Experiment Works in Chelston, Torquay he would eventually be the Superintendent of the Admiralties new tank at Portsmouth after his fathers death.

Robert (known as Eddie) was like Henry Brunel a son working with a famous father when in Torquay. Having worked for the famous Mr W Bidder (Civil Engineer) it was almost ordained that Eddie spent years at home working with his father into the research of ships. William was experimenting with carved wooden model ships and later tin ships (with a clockwork motor) determining why the hull shape affected friction, stability and even propeller design at sea. His work on propellers was commissioned by his lifelong friend Isambard Brunel which was the connection that brought their sons together.

Today Naval architects around the world use William Froude 's book 'Law of Comparisons' and model ships floated in a tank to check the way their ships will react at sea. Meanwhile, in the mid-Victorian era Eddie and Isambard's son Henry, both good at carpentery were asked to design and construct the central wooden staircase for Froude's new home at Seaway Lane.This high wooden staircase rises unsupported using only wooden joint pegs as the boys were told not to use nails, and ultimately this made it unique.

With the death of Isambard, Henry Brunel finished the wooden footbridge crossing the Teignmouth Road at Watcombe (today long gone) before becoming a distinguished engineer himself. Both sons grew up in an atmosphere of research and science and may well have been involved in the model ships created. Eddie certainly knew the whole science behind his father's hull designs and ship movement. The British Admiralty Experiment Works first tank was established at Chelston Cross in 1870 with a seven year HMS Naval contract. With the large water tank established in the garden it allowed model ships to be towed and tested thoroughly. The Navy's first ship tested was a model of their HMS Greyhound in March 1872 following which William and Edmund then oversaw more than 46,000 tests on ships before the naval contract ended.

Today Mr Froude's thesis in his 'Law of Comparisons' book is an accepted authority used by scientists all over the world. William remained Superintendant of works until his death in South Africa in 1879 while Eddie as manager of works was finally promoted to Superintendant at Gosport in 1890. Now huge new tanks were built at Gosport with associated equipment designed and constructed by Mr Eddie Froude. The Gun Boat testing Yard Haslar was formally opened on April 22, 1887. Eddie's main contribution at these works involved design (not research) and by the time of his retirement in 1919 it is reported he was responsible for testing the construction of no less than 500 Naval vessels including: 33 classes of battleships, 46 cruisers, 61 destroyers, 14 submarines and 20 classes of miscellaneous ships.

Being committed to his work and career Eddie never married yet was seen daily cycling to and from his work, his only other interest was sailing. He designed and built and later successfully raced several yachts while serving on the council of the Yacht Racing Association for some 25 years and became its representative to the International Yacht Racing Union.

On retiring from Haslar Gosport, Eddie moved to Cambridge to reside with his sister and her husband Baron von Hughel. By then he had been awarded a CBE and was Honorary President of the INA and given an LLD at Glasgow in 1907. After a short illness he died at his sister's home on March 19, 1923. Today, huge testing tanks are now operated at Gosport by Quinetiq Co (for the Navy) who also employ 13,000 personnel around the world.

IAN'S COMMENT. An amazing son of Torquay whose work continues to keep everyone at sea safe whether in a sailing ship, cruising or submarine.

NEXT WEEK - Robert Henry Rooke