Charles Baird (engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Baird
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| Born | 20 December 1766 |
| Died | 10 December 1843 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Engineer |
Charles Baird (born December 20, 1766 – died December 10, 1843) was a Scottish engineer. He played a very important part in building factories and businesses in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the 1800s. His company was famous for making machines powered by steam. They even built Russia's very first steamboat!
Contents
The Life of Charles Baird
Early Life and Training
Charles Baird was born in a place called Westerton, Scotland. He was one of nine children. His father, Nicol Baird, worked as a toll collector and later managed projects for the Forth and Clyde Canal. Charles started learning his trade in 1782. He became an apprentice at the Carron Ironworks near Falkirk.
By the time he was 19, Charles was already a supervisor in the gun-making part of the factory. In 1786, he traveled to Russia with a manager from Carron Company, Charles Gascoigne. Their goal was to help set up a gun factory in Petrozavodsk. They also helped build a factory for making cannonballs in Kronstadt.
Starting a Business in Russia
When Charles first came to Russia, he was known as Gascoigne Baird. But he later changed his name to Charles Baird. This was probably to avoid confusion with Charles Gascoigne. His name change was officially approved in Scotland in 1792.
In 1792, Charles Baird teamed up with Francis Morgan. Charles married Francis's daughter, Sophia, in 1794. Their business in St. Petersburg became known as the Baird Works (Russian: Завод Берда). This company focused on building machines that ran on steam power.
Major Projects and Innovations
The Baird Works made machines for many important places. They supplied equipment for Russia's weapon factories, the place where money was made (the Mint), and glass factories. They also worked on many different projects. These included building bridges and creating beautiful metal decorations. Charles Baird even had his own sugar refinery. He used his own clever method to make sugar.
One of the most famous achievements of the Baird Works was building the Elizaveta. This was Russia's first steamship, launched in 1815. Because they were so early in this technology, they had a special deal. For ten years, they were the only company allowed to run steamboats from St. Petersburg. This included the Elizaveta's trips to Kronstadt. The company even had its own docks.
The St. Petersburg Times newspaper said that Charles Baird helped create a huge industrial area. This area was along the Neva River and is now known as Admiralty Shipyard.
Bridges and Buildings
Baird's company provided the metal parts for many bridges. In 1805, they built Russia's first cast iron arch bridge. From the 1820s, they also built suspension bridges. These were designed by Wilhelm von Traitteur. An example is the Postoffice Bridge over the Moika river.
The Baird Works also teamed up with a famous architect named Auguste de Montferrand. They worked on two very important structures: the Alexander Column and Saint Isaac's Cathedral. For the cathedral, Baird's company figured out the engineering for the huge dome.
Family and Legacy
The Baird Works were run by Russian workers. Some of these workers were incredibly skilled, especially in making detailed metal decorations. Charles Baird also brought other engineers from Scotland to work with him. His son, Francis, and his nephew, William Handyside, made important contributions. Francis continued to run the Baird Works after his father passed away.
William Handyside was key in the company's work with Montferrand. Another nephew, Nicol Hugh Baird, spent a few years in St. Petersburg. He later became a well-known engineer in Canada. Other Handyside brothers also came to work in Russia. Charles's younger brother, Hugh Baird, was the designer of the Edinburgh & Glasgow Union Canal in Scotland.
Charles Baird was known for his great business skills as well as his engineering talent. His achievements were recognized in both Britain and Russia. In 1841, he became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He received many honors, including the title of Knight of St Vladimir. Charles Baird died on December 10, 1843. He is buried in the Smolensk Lutheran Cemetery.
See also
