Lucas and Aird
{{Short description|Civil engineering business operating in the 19th century}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Lucas and Aird was a major civil engineering business operating in the 19th century.
History
The business was formed as a joint venture between Lucas Brothers and John Aird & Co. in 1870.{{cite web|url=http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/holmes_portraits.pdf |title=Portraits by the friend of Sherlock Holmes discovered in the City of Westminster|publisher=Westminster Council|accessdate=20 November 2019}} The joint venture was dissolved in 1896.{{cite web|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Lucas_and_Aird|title=Lucas and Aird|publisher=Grace's Guide|accessdate=20 November 2019}}{{London Gazette|issue=26800|page=7184|date=4 December 1896}}
Major projects
Major projects carried out by the firm included:
- The Welland Viaduct completed in 1870{{cite web |url = https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/rutland/2019/09/13/rutlands-best-bridges/ |title = Rutland’s Best Bridges |publisher = pridemagazines.co.uk |date = 13 September 2019}}
- The Royal Albert Dock completed in 1880{{cite web|url=http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConFactFile.72/Royal-Albert-Dock.html|title=Royal Albert Dock|publisher=Port Cities|accessdate=30 November 2019}}
- The Hull and Barnsley Railway completed in 1885{{cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/south_cave/|title=South Cave|publisher=Disused Stations|accessdate=30 November 2019}}
- The Suakin-Berber Railway completed in 1885Hill R., Hill R.H., “Sudan Notes and Records” Vol. 20, No. 1, publ. 1937, University of Khartoum, p.110.
- The Tilbury Docks completed in 1886{{cite web|url=http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConFactFile.82/Tilbury-Dock.html|title=Tilbury Dock|publisher=Port Cities|accessdate=30 November 2019}}
- The Blackfriars Railway Bridge completed in 1886{{cite web|url=http://thames.me.uk/s00090.htm |title=Blackfriars Railway Bridge|publisher= Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide|accessdate=20 November 2019}}
- The West Highland Railway completed in 1895The Story of the West Highland, published by the London and North Eastern Railway, 1944 (written anonymously by George Dow)
- The Budleigh Salterton Railway completed in 1896{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8k-IAwAAQBAJ&q=budleigh+salterton+railway+contractor&pg=PT62|title=The Branch Lines of Devon Exeter, South, Central & East Devon|first=Colin|last=Maggs|publisher=Amberley Publishing|year=2011|isbn= 978-1848683501 }}
- The Plymouth to Yealmpton Branch completed in 1896{{cite web|url=https://genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DEV/CourtRecords/InquestsWMN1896|quote= "John Barwell, engine driver, in the employ of Lucas and Aird, who are constructing the railway to Yealmpton...Deceased had been in the employ of Lucas and Aird for about five months." |title=Inquests|publisher=Western Morning News|date=13 January 1896 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.oldplymouth.uk/Railways-Yealmpton%20Branch.htm|title=Yealmpton Branch|publisher=Old Plymouth|accessdate=30 November 2019}}