William Hutchinson (privateer)
William Hutchinson ( * 1715 in Newcastle -upon- Tyne, † February 11, 1801, Liverpool ) was a British sailor, inventor and author. For his contributions to the cod fishery in 1755, he was appointed an honorary citizen ( freeman ) of Liverpool.
Biography
His seafaring career began on a carbon freighter, about 1738, he was then East India driver for the East India Company. After that, he was a privateer and drove from 1745 on one of the ships of the famous privateer Fortunatus Wright. In 1747 he received the rank of captain.
Hutchinson was also involved in the establishment of the first Rescue at Sea World in Formby Point. He also contributed to the establishment of pilotage on the Mersey River.
Since 1763 Hutchinson experimented on the Bidston signal station with reflectors for light signals. His work has been successful and so in 1771 the Bidston lighthouse was built with parabolic reflectors. They can be seen today in Trinity House Museum in London. Until the introduction of the Fresnel lens it was regarded as the best system. The Lighthouses of Hoylake and Leosowe were also built in 1763 on his initiative. He will also further inventions, such as accused of a device for the removal of ship fouling.
1759 W. Hutchinson harbor master ( ' Dockmaster ') of Liverpool. At the suggestion of the astronomer James Ferguson he started in 1764 all Tides record highs and lows (ie day and night). To this end, he also recorded meteorological data such as air pressure and temperature. In 1767 he handed over his records to the mathematicians George and Richard Holden, which thus created their tide calendar. The original data may have been lost, however. Mr. Hutchinson made further recordings until his retirement on 10 August 1793. They apply due to their precision as valuable data when it comes to changes in sea level.
In 1777 he published the book A treatise on practical seamanship. It is still regarded as one of the most important books on seafaring his time. Until 1794, he published three more repeatedly extended editions of the book.
After his death, February 11, 1801 he was buried in the Liverpool St. Thomas Cemetery.
His standard work A treatise on practical seamanship, which is still published and is found in several sailing books, learned several editions. The first edition was issued in 1777 with notes and comments on philosophical and rational principles of navigation and numerous suggestions for navigation, health and economy. The 2nd expanded edition 10 years later 1787 also dealt with the proportions in shipbuilding and new advice and notes in all areas. A third issue was made in 1791 and a fourth also expanded edition in 1794.