Biography of Archibald Scott Younger

Archibald Scott Younger graduated BSc from the University of Glasgow in 1889.

Younger was born in Leytonstone, Essex, son of Scottish parents. His father, Thomas was an accountant. Younger served an apprenticeship in marine engineering with Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Co Ltd, before coming to the University of Glasgow in 1886, aged 21. He was awarded a Whitworth Scholarship in 1888 and a medal for theoretical mechanics by the University in 1889, graduating that year. After graduation, Younger served as an assistant to John Harvard Biles, Professor Naval Architecture, from 1891-92, before going to sea with the Clan Line, which took him to the Far East, including Japan, gaining his ship’s engineer ticket in the process.

In the mid-1890s he married Agnes McNeil, daughter of John McNeil, a businessman engaged in building up a large engineering business in Glasgow, which specialised in making sugar mill machinery and exporting this to the world - John McNeil & Co, Colonial Iron Works, Govan.

Younger joined a Glasgow-based naval architectural and marine surveying practice initially involved in building ships for the Japanese, A R Brown McFarlane & Co Ltd. He served in London before returning to Glasgow as director and consultant in charge of engineering. A few years later, in 1911, he was engaged on a ship-building mission to Japan, from which he returned with a substantial contract for the building of the first Japanese motor boats. Subsequently he succeeded his senior partner Brown as Consul for Japan in 1911, a position he held for some 20 years. For his services to Japan, Younger was twice decorated by Emperor Hirohito with honours, first in 1919 with the High Order of the Rising Sun.

Younger developed a safety mechanism for ship deck hatches, which he patented, and is also credited with the design of the SS Dalmarnock, which ploughed up and down the Clyde for some 40 years disposing of Glasgow sludge.

Sources

Archival Materials

• R3/1/1 (vol 2) Register of dates of birth of graduates 1881-1915

Other

• Development and Alumni correspondence with alumnus and grandson, John Scott Younger

Summary

Archibald Scott Younger
Born 13 March 1865.
Died 1940.
GU Degree: BSc, 1889;
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate
Occupation categories: engineers, naval
Additional Information: R3/1/1 (vol 2)
English snippet: Engineering graduate of the University, prominent naval architect
Record last updated: 11th Apr 2013

Country Associations

England, Tyne and Wear
Place of Birth

Scotland, Glasgow
Place of Death

Japan, No Region

University Connections

University Roles

• Alumnus
• Graduate [View Archibald Scott Younger's record in the list of graduates]

Images

Archibald Scott Younger, matriculation slip 1886-87