David Watson was a distinguished member of that post-war generation of outstanding Scottish naval architects, who further enhanced the Clyde's reputation for designing and building great ships.
David Watson was a distinguished member of that post-war generation of outstanding Scottish naval architects, who further enhanced the Clyde's reputation for designing and building great ships.
David George Martin Watson, DEng, BSc. CEng, FRINA, FIMarE, FIESS, was born in Kilmarnock and attended Lenzie Academy before winning a scholarship to St Bees school, Cumbria.
His education then continued at Glasgow University, where he graduated with first-class honours in naval architecture.
After university, he enlisted and was commissioned in the army, and during the latter years of the war he served in India with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and in the 4th Indian Division, rising to the rank of major.
On his return from military service David re-joined the Glasgow shipbuilding firm of Alexander Stephen at Linthouse, and spent more than 20 years there, designing a wide range of commercial ships and earning a deserved reputation as a highly capable and meticulous naval architect.
In 1971, soon after Alexander Stephen became part of the ill-fated Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, he accepted an offer to join the board of Y-ARD Ltd, the marine engineering consultancy subsidiary of naval shipbuilders and engineers, Yarrow & Co Ltd.
He remained with YARD for the rest of his career until his retirement in 1989, leading an experienced team of skilled naval architects and marine engineers in dealing with many complex problems relating to ship design and performance.
Throughout his career he was a loyal supporter of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (IESS), and was awarded several medals for his learned papers published by technical journals.
His greatest accolade came in 2000 when his alma mater, Glasgow University, awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering, of which he was immensely proud.
After his retirement, David set about achieving his long-held ambition to write a definitive instruction manual on modern naval architecture, covering every aspect of both merchant and naval ships. After several years of detailed research, strict discipline and sheer hard work, his magnum opus, Practical Ship Design, was published in 1998.
The work was immediately acclaimed and welcomed by colleagues in the profession, and is now accepted world-wide as the standard text book for all students of naval architecture.
Away from his busy professional career, David found time for many other interests and worthwhile activities.
As befits a son and grandson of the manse, he was a committed member of the Church of Scotland and served as an elder for almost 50 years, first at Hyndland Parish Church, Glasgow, then at St Brides and finally at the West Kirk, Helensburgh, where he was a regular attender and a diligent fabric convener.
He also actively supported several favourite charities, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Glasgow Lodging House Mission, which his grandfather was instrumental in setting up.
In his youth, David was a keen rugby player, and after his playing days were over he seldom missed a Scotland international at Murrayfield.
He always enjoyed energetic outdoor pursuits, and indulged his great love of Scotland by exploring with his family the north-west Highlands and Islands, and especially the Outer Hebrides.
He and his wife, Marion, enjoyed many walking and cycling holidays in France. But David's great life-long passion was sailing, and for many years he spent as much time as he could on the water.
He was a long-time member of the Royal Northern Yacht Club and a skilled helmsman who won many trophies, competing first in Flying Fifteens and for the last 30 years in the Piper O/D class.
He was also closely involved for many years with the Royal Western Yacht Club as secretary.
David Watson was without doubt a man of great intellect, many talents, wide interests and strong faith.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, Marion, and son, Alasdair, by his four nieces with whom he was a great favourite, and by his many cousins, friends and former colleagues.
by IAIN MANN
