BAKER H.J.M.

BAKER H.J.M. 14.04. 1878 Lowell MA/USA 02.10. 1943 Seattle WA/USA Harold James Manning Baker spent his childhood in Hawaii, his boyhood in San Francisco CA, and later in Seattle WA. He graduated from University of Washington, Seattle WA, with the BSc degree in civil engineering, continuing there until 1902 with post-graduate work. In 1902 he became a special student in hydraulic engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, and then was rodman and instrumentman at Port Townsend WA, in charge of topographical surveys at Fort Casey and Fort Worden. In 1903 he began his long engagement with the US Engineer Department, during which Baker spent several years on fortification work. Later he was responsible for all river and harbour work in the Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, Willapa Harbor, Columbia River, and Alaskan areas. In 1928 Baker was detached from regular river and harbor work, and placed in charge of the preparation of a series of reports covering topics as power, irrigation, flood control, and navigation of the principal rivers in the Seattle Engineer District. The most difficult part of this assignment was the report on the Columbia River, which was widely used by engineers, who produced favorable comments. In referring to the necessity for sound engineering documents prior to government expenditures, Riggs stated in his 1939 paper: ‘No better example of such a study can be found than that on the Columbia River made by the Corps of Engineers after four years of study’. Baker was a man of high principles and firm convictions and governed his life according to these standards, quietly and undeviatingly. His relationship with subordinates was friendly, cordial, and courteous. He always found delight in mathematics; a book that he treasured was an autographed copy of The Lowell Hydraulic Experiments, by James B. Francis (18151892), which was presented him by Francis’ sister when he was student at Cornell University. He was a man of fine spirit and character whose loss was deeply regretted by all his friends. He was member of the American Society of Civil Engineer ASCE from 1908. Anonymous (1943). Harold J.M. Baker. Engineering News-Record 131(Oct.14): 576. Anonymous (1944). Harold J.M. Baker. Trans. ASCE 109: 1561-1562. Chittenden, H.M., Clapp, J.M., Baker, H.J.M., Clarke, E.L. (1908). Snohomish River, Washington, from the mouth to Lowell. US Engineer Office: Seattle WA. Riggs, H.E. (1939). Hazards of uneconomical construction. Trans. ASCE 104: 668-689. https://www.google.ch/search?q=%22Harold+James+Manning+Baker%22&; P

BALCH 10.03. 1883 Neillsville WI/USA 18.04. 1928 Madison WI/USA Leland Rella Balch graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, in 1905 with the BS degree and in 1909 with the civil engineering degree. He started his professional career as engineer assistant with the US Reclamation Service, later as resident engineer in charge of surveys on the Huntley, Sun River and Flathead Irrigation projects in Montana. From 1909 to 1910 he took post-graduate work at his Alma Mater, and was then appointed assistant engineer with the US Reclamation Service on the Shoshone Project in Wyoming. He returned in 1911 to his Alma Mater again as research assistant there conducting hydraulic experiments, resulting in various outstanding technical researches. From 1912 until his death Balch was with the firm of Daniel W. Mead (1862-1948) and Seastone, consulting engineers, Madison WI. There he was responsible for the design and the construction of various works, notably municipal pumping plants, additions to the power plants of the Madison Gas and Electric Power Company, or the Mississippi Valley Public Service Co., Winona MN. He also participated in investigations and the preparation of reports relating to water works, and sanitary works. During his stay at the University of Wisconsin from 1910 to 1912, Balch studied various hydraulic problems. These included Tests on flash wheels, which were used to lift water from a lower to a higher level. He further made an early study on the jet pump, by which water is again moved by the action of a driver nozzle. Other works include tests of submerged orifices and the flow through submerged tubes. Balch was a person of high ideals, of sterling character and of highest integrity. A man of pleasing personality, he possessed a genial disposition, and a keen sense of humor, endearing himself to all who knew him. He was member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME and of Civil Engineers ASCE, and the Engineering Society of Wisconsin. He passed away at ago of only 45 for unknown reasons. Anonymous (1906). Leland R. Balch. Badger yearbook 20: 57. University of Wisconsin. P Anonymous (1929). Leland R. Balch. Trans. ASCE 93: 1754-1755. Balch, L.R. (1913). Test of a jet pump. Engineering Series Bulletin 7(4): 1-15. Univ. Wisconsin. Balch, L.R. (1914). Investigation of flow through four-inch submerged orifices and tubes. Engineering Series Bulletin 8(3): 147-178. University of Wisconsin: Madison WI. Davis, G.J., Jr., Balch, L.R. (1914). Investigation of flow through large submerged tubes. Engineering Series Bulletin 7(6): 1-57. University of Wisconsin: Madison WI.