Obituaries of William Theodore Doxford

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Doxford

Transcriptions of various obituaries for William Theodore Doxford DL JP MP (1841-1916)

SIR W. THEODORE DOXFORD

The death took place at his residence, Grindon Hall, Sunderland, yesterday morning, of Sir W. Theodore Doxford. Sir Theodore had been in weak health for some time past, and he had been lying in a critical condition since Thursday.

Sir William Theodore Doxford, who had been prominently identified with the business and public life of the Wearside borough for half a century, was a native of Sunderland, his father, Mr William Doxford, being the founder of the firm which has been so conspicuously associated with the development and the prosperity of Wear shipbuilding. The father of Sir Theodore established a considerable reputation in the building of wooded ships, starting in a small yard at the North Dock nearly 70 years ago with vessels of 150 and 200 tons register. Mr William Doxford was afterwards associated in business with Mr John Crown, the father of the late Councillor John Crown, at the Hylton, and later he continued on his own account at Coxgreen, where vessels as large as 500 to 600 tons were built. The year 1857 witnessed another advance in Mr William Doxford’s progress, he then entering into possession of the yard at Pallion now occupied by Messrs Short Brothers. Thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit, Mr Doxford passed from the building of wooden to the building of composite vessels, and in 1863 he commenced his first iron vessel, following the lead of Sir James Laing, Mr William Pile, and Mr T. R. Oswald in the new development. This new iron steamer was the Adalia, built to the order of Messrs James Laing and E. T. Gourlay, and it was successfully launched in 1865. From this modest beginning the firm prospered amazingly, and soon reached a leading position in the new order of shipbuilding.

Captain of Industry.

Sir William Theodore Doxford was born on the 1st of February, 1841. He was educated at Bramham College, Yorkshire, and, concluding his scholastic career there in 1857, he at once became associated with the business of his father. In his early business days the fir was exclusively engaged in the building of sailing ships, and Sir Theodore was closely identified with the changes that were connected with the introduction of iron and steam into the sphere of shipbuilding. It is characteristic of the enterprise of the firm that soon after they commenced to build steamers they established engineering shops in their yard to enable them to complete the construction of vessels, supplying both hull and motive power. It was in 1869 that the firm transferred their operations to the site now occupied by Messrs Doxford at Pallion, and a steady progress was maintained until 1891, when Sir Theodore and his brothers decided to transform the business into a limited liability company. In the early years of the firm the output from the Doxford yard included many important vessels. Over thirty years ago Messrs Doxford built four composite vessels for the Government, which gave complete satisfaction, and since they have had several Government contracts, including two torpedo-boat destroyers, each of which had a speed of 29 knots.

Many other well-known vessels have been turned out by the firm, among those noteworthy for size being the Samoa and the Marea, of nearly 10,000 tons each, and the Algoa, of 11,250 tons: while in 1913 they launched the San Jeronimo, with a gross tonnage of 11,600 tons and a deadweight carrying capacity of over 15,000 tons, this being the largest cargo ship ever constructed on the Wear. The annual output of vessels from Messrs Doxford’s yard for many years aggregated over 30,000 tons, but in 1905 it reached 86,632 tons, and obtained for the firm the distinction of the “blue riband” in shipbuilding for any firm in the world. In the following year they surpassed this total with a record of 1-6,058 tons, and since , including the lean years of 1908-1910, a fair rate of production has been maintained, though the figures of 1906 have never been equalled. An interesting chapter in the history of the Doxford firm was the production of the turret deck type of steamer, patented by Mr Charles Doxford in 1892. Over a hundred of these vessels were built, and the construction of these boats increased the fortunes and added much to the reputation of the firm. In later times, in order to keep pace with shipbuilding progress, Messrs Doxford have installed an oil engine building plant, and in many other directions they have indicated a determination to maintain their position in the front rank of the world’s shipbuilders. In all these enterprises Sir Theodore took a prominent part, and helped not a little by his keen interest and business acumen to bring them to a successful conclusion. Following the success of the firm, Sir Theodore achieved a position of personal eminence in the shipbuilding profession. He has always been a prominent member of the North-East Court Institution of Shipbuilders and Engineers, and in 1886-7 he was chairman of that body. He was also a member of the British Corporation, a shipbuilding organisation having powers similar to those of Lloyd’s Registry, and a vice-president of the Institution of Naval Architects.

Political Career.

In the public life of the Wearside borough Sir Theodore occupied for many years a prominent position. For some years he was an active and useful member of the Town Council, sitting first as a representative of the Pallion Ward and later as a representative of the West Ward. His connection with the Town Council terminated in 1895, when he became a candidate for Parliamentary honours in the Conservative interest. He was returned at the head of the poll, having as his colleague Sir E. T. Gourlay, who was the nominee of the Liberals. In the next election, in 1900, Sir Theodore was returned with Mr J. S. G. Pemberton as a colleague, and he continued to represent the borough in the Conservative interest until 1906, when he retired. He has always taken a leading part in local Conservative counsels having been chairman of the Sunderland Conservative Association for many years up to the time of his death. He was officially connected with the Durham Division of the National Union of Conservative Associations, and was also a member of the National Council of the Union.

As a speaker on political topics he was held in much esteem among local Conservatives, and particularly on trade and industrial matters he always spoke with the authority of knowledge and experience. Sir Theodore received his knighthood in 1900, his name being included in the New Year’s honours list of that year. His elevation to the honour of knighthood was a well-merited tribute to his services to his party and to his position as a captain of industry, and gave great satisfaction not only to the Conservatives but also to the larger body of townspeople. Sir Theodore was a highly-esteemed member of the River Wear Commission, having been elected in 1894 in succession to Col. G. J. Sourfield. He was also a Justice of the Peace and a Deputy-Lieutenant of the County.

Social Work. In the religious, social, and philanthropic spheres Sir Theodore was equally prominent. A thorough-going Churchman, he was always in the van in all local Church enterprises, and did much, particularly in the Pallion district, to promote the cause of religion. The many philanthropic and charitable institutions in the town and district have had in Sir Theodore a warm friend and supporter, and his personal services and financial help have always been readily extended to all deserving objects. Sir Theodore was married on April 9th, 1863, at St. Andrew/s Church, Deptford, to Miss Margaret Wilkinson, the daughter of the late Mr Richard Wilkinson, a shipbuilder of Pallion, and through all the years of their married life this estimable lade made him an ideal helpmeet, sympathising with and aiding him in all his public, social, and charitable work, in much of which she has herself taken a prominent part. Sir Theodore and Lady Doxford resided all their lives in Sunderland and its vicinity, and for many years have lived at Grindon Hall. The celebrated their golden wedding on April 9th, 19193, and the death of Lady Doxford took place on January 8th, 1916. There was a family of one son and five daughters of the marriage: Mr A. Ernest Doxford, Margaret Eveline (Mrs J. Hunt Hedley), Mary (Mrs A. O. Hedley), Nora (Mrs Hillyar Clelland), Greta and Vera (Mrs Stanley Thompson).

Newcastle Daily Journal , 02 Oct 1916

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THE LATE SIR WM. THEODORE DOXFORD.

The funeral of the late Sir William Theodore Doxford will take place to-morrow at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland. The cortege will leave Grindon Hall at 11 o'clock for service in Hylton Parish Church at 11.20.

The Mayor's Tribute.

At the Sunderland Police Court, yesterday, the Mayor (Ald. S. Richardson) said that before proceeding to the business the Bench desired him to make reference to the lamented death of Sir Theodore Doxford, who was for many years a Justice of the Peace for the borough and the county. Sir Theodore's many business engagements as the head of a large firm, which had done so much to bring into prominence the town as a shipbuilding centre, prevented him sitting very frequently on the Bench. They all had, however, many pleasant recollections of him. They all knew his many good qualities, his charming personality and he was also noteworthy for his kindness and consideration for others. He (the Mayor) would request the Clerk to send a letter from t he court of sympathy and condolence with the family.

Mr W. Hanna, solicitor, asked that the Bar should be associated with the letter of sympathy.

Newcastle Daily Journal , 03 Oct 1916

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REFERENCE TO DEATH OF SIR THEODORE DOXFORD

There was universal regret expressed in Sunderland when publicity was given to the death of Sir William Theodore Doxford, of Grindon Hall.

At the Borough Police Court, yesterday, the Mayor (Alderman G. Richardson) made reference to the lamented death of Sir Theodore Doxford, who was for many years a Justice of the Peace for both the borough and the county. Sir Theodore’s many business engagements as the head of a large firm, which he had done so much to bring into prominence the town as a shipbuilding centre, prevented him sitting very frequently on the Bench. Theye all had, however, many pleasant recollections of hi. They all knew his many good qualities, and his charming personality. He was also noteworthy for his kindness and consideration for others. He (the Mayor) would request the Clerk to send a letter from the Court expressive of their sympathy and condolence with the family. Mr W. Hanna, solicitor, on behalf of the Bar, associated himself with this expression of sympathy.

The funeral will take place to-morrow (Wednesday), the cortege to leave Grindon Hall at 11 o’clock for a service at Hylton Parish Church at 11.20. The interment will take place in the family vault at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.

The North Star, 03 Oct 1916