Joseph William Sutton

Joseph William Sutton (21 October 1844 – 21 February 1914), also known as J. W. Sutton, was an Australian engineer, shipbuilder, inventor, pioneer in electric lighting and x-ray pioneer in Queensland.

Life and times

Hurlton, Chelmer, 1928

In 1844, Sutton was born at Stepney, London, England. His parents were George Sutton and Elizabeth Kemmesat.[1] He was christened on 1 December 1844.[2] He married Mary Hurley (15 September 1847 – 11 July 1926) on 21 October 1869 in Balmain, Sydney.[3] The couple built a home, Hurlton (a name derived from their surnames Hurley and Sutton) in Laurel Avenue, Chelmer in Brisbane.[4] Sutton died in 1914 and was buried at Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane.[5][6] After the death of his widow, Hurlton was purchased in 1928 by William Robert Black, a philanthropist who donated it to the Presbyterian Church for use as a children's home; the house is now listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register.[4][7]

Sutton was a prominent figure in Brisbane at the end of the 19th century. Throughout his life, he was keen on experimenting and inventing. Of particular note is the invention of the gold extraction process, which was utilized at the Mount Morgan field.[8] Sutton was interested in the early development of telephones, electric lights and Rontgen rays.[6][9][10]

Early career

The Sutton family moved from London to Sydney when he was seven years old. He received his education at Sydney then indentured at the Sydney firm of John Fitzpatrick, coppersmith. One year after Sutton became a journeyman, he moved to Brisbane. In May 1870, he started business with James Hipwood as Hipwood and Sutton. To illustrate the language and sign of the times, the following advertisement of 9 June 1870 in The Brisbane Courier is provided.[11]

Notice.

To all those interested in Sugar Making, Distilling, Brewing, Engineering, &c. Messrs. HIPWOOD & SUTTON will commence business as COPPERSMITHS, BRASSFOUNDERS, FINISHERS, PLUMBERS, &c. about MONDAY, June 13, and are prepared to execute any orders that they may be favored with. Vacuum, Wetzel, Bour, and Tache Pans, Clarifiers, &c.; Rum Stills from 100 to 2000 gallons; Wine and Whiskey Stills, 15 to 100 gallons; Brewing Coppers and Tinned Copper Pipes of all sizes; Copper and Iron Pipes, Lamps, Oil Feeders, &c., and every requisite for the Engine Room. Address: Hipwood & Sutton, Northern Copper Works, Eagle-street, Brisbane. 4858. - The Brisbane Courier

The company of Hipwood and Sutton did business as coppersmiths and brassfounders, and remained in business until 1877, at which time the company disbanded.[12]

J. W. Sutton and Company

Sutton and Co. Foundry on Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, circa 1890
J. W. Sutton & Co. advertisement, 1888

Sutton reorganized and continued in business as J. W. Sutton and Company, Engineering Works. In 1880, the business was expanded to Kangaroo Point, as Sutton foresaw the growth of the company to meet the needs of the sugar industry and the engineering trades. At Kangaroo Point, two partners were brought into the business, W. Bussell and W. Hiley.[12]

In the 1880s the J. W. Sutton and Company's shipbuilding yard and foundry was a prominent industrial complex at Kangaroo Point.[13] Prior to establishing J. W. Sutton and Company, Sutton was manager at the tin smelting works and foundry at Bulimba.

In 1885, the city directory listed the business: “SUTTON, J. W., and Co. (J. W. Sutton and W. Hiley), engineers, iron and brass founders, coppersmiths, and iron ship builders, 29 Eagle street; tel. 43. Works, Kangaroo Point; tel. 48.”[14] The listing (presumably Sutton's residence) that preceded this entry was: “Sutton, J. W. (J. W. Sutton and Co.), Stonehenge, Bowen terrace”.[14] Pugh's Almanac in 1885 listed J.W. Sutton and Co. at Kangaroo Point as a boat and ship builder; as coppersmith and brass founders at 25 Eagle-street and Kangaroo Point; as engineers and iron-founders at Eagle-street with boiler works at Kangaroo Poin;, smelter and assayer at Eagle-street.[15] The Alexandra Mine and Battery at Palmerville Station, Maytown, Queensland was equipped with a battery plant. The battery plant that supplied electricity included a Cornish boiler in a brick mount with a flue leading to an intact nine metre high metal chimney. The Cornish boiler was manufactured by J. W. Sutton & Co.[16] The firm provided materials and aided in bridge construction for the South Coast railway line in Queensland. In addition, several key sugar factories were equipped with machinery from J. W. Sutton and Co. During the floods of 1893, the original foundry was destroyed. Sutton rebuilt the foundry and remained in business. The company was succeeded by Evans, Anderson, and Phelan.[9]

Iceberg built by JW Sutton at Kangaroo Point

Electrical pioneer

On 9 December 1882, at Brisbane, Queensland the public was introduced to electricity by having a demonstration that utilized eight arc lights, erected along Queen Street. The lamps were erected on 20 foot cast iron standards. The power to supply these arc lights was taken from a 10 horsepower Crompton DC generator driven by a Robey steam engine in the foundry of J. W. Sutton & Co. at Adelaide Street.[17] Later, the Brisbane Courier newspaper received electricity supplied from the foundry of J. W. Sutton at Foundry Lane, later called Isles Lane. The power was from a 10 hp Crompton DC generator.[18] On 10 December 1882, the J. W. Sutton & Co. offices at Adelaide Street in Brisbane were lighted by electricity for the first time in Queensland.[17]

X-ray pioneer

In July 1896, Sutton was the first to demonstrate X-rays in Brisbane for physician Dr. John Thompson. Sutton was the father-in-law of Edward Barton so there is some chance that Barton was also involved. On 8 August 1896, at the invitation of the Royal Society of Queensland, Sutton performed a demonstration of Röntgen rays and in doing so left his mark in the annals of history an Australian pioneer of X-rays in Queensland.[10][19][20] Sutton opened with a review of the historical aspects of what was known of the subject. Then he produced a diagram on the blackboard of the electromagnetic spectrum and reviewed the various portions that included the visible, ‘infra red’, ‘heat rays’, ‘ultra violet’ spectrums and the 'unmapped rays'.[10] An account of the evening recalled:[10]

"He proceeded to state that photography had revealed the fact that photographically active rays extended a distance of nine or ten times the length of the visual spectrum. and both from the ultra violet and the infra red portion of the spectrum; there emanated a long series of rays which, though quite invisible, possessed chemical energy and heat, and with which it was quite possible to make radiographs through many opaque substances, and it was supposed that somehow in these outskirts of the spectrum, the X-rays would be found if they are associated with light at all."

Sutton then explained the apparatus he had prepared to demonstrate. The contraption consisted of an electric battery and large induction coil which provided the electric current to illuminate the Crookes focus tube. He asked the audience to observe an ordinary vacuum tube or Geissler tube. He passed electric current through the tube, a large three-bulb tube, and the tube was instantly filled with the well-known phosphorescent glow. Sutton remarked that X-rays were emanating from the tube, but the rays were so diffuse as to be of no effect. Next, the Geissler tube was replaced by a Crookes tube. Electric current was passed through the Crookes tube. He explained that the Crookes tube had “a more complete vacuum” and “other improvements made”. Sutton explained that it was necessary to make additional improvements and refinements in the vacuum tube which required “a more complete vacuum”. The final step involved an arrangement of aluminium and platinum discs utilized to focus the X-rays.[10] Further recollections of the evening:[10]

"Having thus explained the apparatus, Mr. Sutton made several exposures of plates with remarkably good results. One interesting exposure was a collection of various articles, offering various degrees of opacity to the rays. The development of the plates was admirably carried out by Mr. Ferguson under circumstances decidedly unfavourable to such delicate work, with capital results. The exhibition of articles on the fluorescent screen, where the wonderful effects of the X-rays were at once visible, called forth frequent applause. Coins placed in a cigar case were plainly seen, and so were similar articles placed between two-inch thick deal boards, or in the middle of a thick book. Neither the wood nor the paper seemed to offer much resistance to the light. The proceedings were terminated by a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer and demonstrator."

Ships built by J. W. Sutton and Company

The following is a partial list of ships built by J. W. Sutton and Co. at Kangaroo Point. Information obtained from Lloyd's Register and other sources.[9][21]

Professional service

Patents

“Joseph William Sutton, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of Ohelmer, in the county of Stanley and Colony of Queensland, have invented a certain new and useful improved rotary apparatus to be used in the generation of chlorin gas and its application to the chlorination of finely divided auriferous material and silver ores…” - J.W. Sutton, U.S. Patent No. 527,899.

References

  1. ↑ England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008. Database. FamilySearch. Joseph William Sutton, 1844. England & Wales Births, 1837-2006. Database. Citing Birth Registration. Stepney, London, England. Citing General Register Office. Southport, England.
  2. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Database. FamilySearch. Joseph William Sutton, 1 December 1844. Citing: Saint Dunstan, Stepney, London, England. Reference. FHL microfilm 596,913 - 596,916.
  3. ↑ "Family Notices.". Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860 - 1871) (NSW: National Library of Australia). 6 November 1869. p. 12. Retrieved 23 January 2016. Download
  4. 1 2 "BRISBANE'S HISTORIC HOMES.". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939) (Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 5 May 1932. p. 34. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Australia. Queensland Cemetery Records, 1802-1990. Database with images. FamilySearch. Joseph William Sutton, 1914. Citing Burial, Rogers Queensland index. Queensland, Australia. Private collection of Jim and Alison Rogers. Bargara. FHL microfilm 1,669,659.
  6. 1 2 Editor. (27 February 1914). J. W. Sutton. Obituary. The Week. Brisbane, Queensland. Page 28.
  7. ↑ "Residence 'Hurlton'". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Editor. (22 February 1894). Sutton’s Gold Saving Process. The Otago Witness. Issue 2087. Page 12.
  9. 1 2 3 Editor. (24 May 1930). Iron Ships and Bridges. Kangaroo Point. Past and Present. Pioneer Industries. The Brisbane Courier. Page 22.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Trainor, J.P. (1946). Salute to the X-Ray Pioneers of Australia. W. Watson & Sons. Sydney, Australia.
  11. ↑ Editor. (9 June 1870). Classified Advertising. Brisbane Courier. Brisbane, Queensland.
  12. 1 2 Morrison, W. Frederick. (1888). The Aldine History of Queensland. The Aldine Publishing Company. Sydney.
  13. ↑ Gordon and Gotch. (1888). The Australian Handbook (incorporating New Zealand, Fiji, and New Guinea) Shippers, Importers and Professional Directory & Business Guide. Brisbane, Australia.
  14. 1 2 Editor. (1885). The Brisbane Post Office Directory and Country Guide. Watson and Ferguson. Queensland.
  15. ↑ Editor. (1885). Pugh's Queensland Almanac, Law Calendar, Directory, and Coast Guide. Thorne and Greenwell. Queensland.
  16. ↑ Webmaster. (2014). Alexandra Mine And Battery. The University of Queensland/FAIMS.
  17. 1 2 Becconsall, Brian. (2016). Electricity Industry Chronology - Technical Development. Engineering Heritage Queensland. Engineers Australia. Canberra, Australia.
  18. ↑ Editor. (2014). Electricity in Brisbane 1882 – 1888. History of Electricity. Scholz Electrical. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  19. ↑ Sutton, J. W. (1897). Experiments with Röntgen rays. (Report of demonstrations.) Royal Society of Queensland. Proceedings., 12 (1897): 86-88.
  20. ↑ Sutton, J. W. (1900). Presidential address. Royal Society of Queensland. Proceedings. 15 (1900): viii-xxv.
  21. ↑ Editor, Lloyds. (1892). J. W. Sutton & Co. List of Iron and Steel Shipbuilders and Marine Engine Builders at Foreign Posts. Australia. Brisbane, Queensland. Underwriters’ Registry for Iron Vessels in 1885. Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, Volume 2. Cox and Wyman, printers. Cornhill, London.
  22. ↑ John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 37703
  23. ↑ Editor. (2015). The Maid of Sker. John Oxley Library. Manuscripts and Business Records Collection. State Library of Queensland. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  24. ↑ Stevens, E.V. (22 May 1952). Shipbuilding. Development of the Port of Brisbane. Historical Society of Queensland. Queensland.
  25. 1 2 Editor. (2016). Queensland Photographic Society. Photographic Exhibitions of Australia. Queensland, Australia.
  26. 1 2 Editor. (1892). The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Volume 5. E. & H.T. Anthony Company.
  27. 1 2 Editor. (1899). Transactions of the Queensland Philosophical Society. Queensland Museum. Brisbane.
  28. ↑ Editor. (2015). Queensland Acclimatisation Society. John Oxley Library. Manuscripts and Business Records Collection. State Library of Queensland. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  29. ↑ Sutton, Joseph William. (14 July 1892). Improvements in the wet process for the extraction of gold or silver or both from pulverized ores or from other finely-divided material, and in apparatus therefor. Joseph William Sutton, Eagle-street, Brisbane, Queensland. No. 3856.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Carpenter, C.W. (1897). The Mines of New South Wales. 1897. G. Robertson & Company.
  31. ↑ Sutton, Joseph William. (29 November 1892). Improvements in the separation of gold from its chloride solution. Joseph William Sutton, Eagle-street, Brisbane, Queensland. No. 4152.
  32. ↑ Sutton, Joseph William. (31 July 1893). Improvements in the chlorination of pulverized ores containing gold or silver, and in apparatus therefor. Joseph William Sutton, Eagle-street, Brisbane, Queensland. No. 4543.
  33. ↑ Sutton, J. W. (23 October 1894). Rotary apparatus for generation of chlorin gas, &c. No. 527,899. U.S. Patent No. 527,899. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Application filed: 1 February 1894.
  34. ↑ Sutton, Joseph William. (21 February 1895). Improvements in recovery of gold precipitated from its chloride solution by sulphate of iron. Joseph William Sutton, Eagle-street, Brisbane, Queensland. No. 5625.
  35. ↑ Sutton, Joseph William. Pneumatic cushion-spring for wheeled vehicles. U.S. Patent No. 1,048,371. 24 December 1912. Sutton, J. W. (1912). U.S. Patent No. 1,048,371. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Issued: 24 December 1912.

External links

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