Returning to England in 1783, Gower was taught for a short time by a navigation master at Edmonton, and upon rejoining his ship was called ‘the young philosopher.’ When he was twenty he devised an instrument which secured far greater accuracy than had before been obtainable in measuring a vessel's way through the water. Gower next turned his attention to effecting improvements in the construction of ships, and eventually quitted the service altogether in order to devote himself fully to following up his plans. In 1800 a ship of remarkable speed, called the Transit, was built from his designs at Itchenor, Sussex. She was four-masted, with sails of peculiar character. She beat the government sloop Osprey out of all comparison in a trial of speed; but, greatly to Gower's disappointment, the East India Company did not purchase his vessel. Subsequently the government obtained from Gower plans for a similar ship. Meantime Gower had married, and published ‘A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Seamanship’ (1793, 2nd edit. 1796), which long remained a standard work. A third edition was called for in 1808. Gower wrote a separate ‘Supplement’ containing a description of the Transit (1807, 2nd edit. 1810). He now considerably altered his vessel's lines, and published ‘A Narrative of a Mode pursued by the British Government to effect Improvements in Naval Architecture’ (1811). In 1819 Gower built a yacht on his improved plan for Lord Vernon, with three masts in place of four. This vessel's behaviour in the water was much admired by nautical and engineering authorities, her speed and easiness of handling being remarkable.
Previously Gower had written some ‘Remarks relative to the Danger attendant upon Convoy, with a Proposition for the better Protection of Commerce’ (1811), suggesting that cruisers should be stationed along the coast communicating with signal stations. In 1812 he competed unsuccessfully for a hundred guinea prize offered for an improved lock in the Regent's Canal; though some years later he discovered that locks similar to those suggested by him had been erected in the canal. Gower next constructed a further improved yacht, the Unique, economising timber and securing light draft. He invented also an ingenious fly-boat intended for use against the small and swift American cruisers. He then projected a set of signals formed of shapes instead of flags, and effected many more naval improvements, including the adoption of the round stern in ships. Other valuable inventions of Gower, brought out in the face of much discouragement, were the long useful catamaran for forming a raft; a lifeboat on a novel plan for employment at Landguard Fort; a sound tube connecting top and deck; a propeller or floating anchor; and numerous ingenious articles of minor note. Gower died near Ipswich towards the end of 1833.
[Gent. Mag. memoir 1833, vol. ii.]
GOWER, Sir THOMAS (fl. 1543–1577), marshal of Berwick, was the son of Sir Edward Gower, knight, of Stittenham, Yorkshire, commissioner of the peace for that county in 1536. His mother was Margery, daughter of Sir Robert Constable, knight, of Flamborough. Thomas Gower was marshal of Berwick, and in 1543 was made the receiver-general and supervisor of all the buildings and fortifications of Berwick and of Wark Castle. Early in the reign of Edward VI Gower was appointed surveyor of the royal estates in Northumberland and captain of Eyemouth, near Berwick (1 Sept. 1547). In July he had reported to the council that the ‘Power of Scotland’ was prepared. He was captain of a band of light horsemen in the army with which the protector Somerset invaded Scotland. At the battle of Pinkie Cleugh (10 Sept.) Gower was one of three cavalry officers taken prisoners through ‘their own too much forwardness’ (Holinshed, p. 980).
Gower had to pay a considerable ransom, and ‘as he was a poor man,’ was much burdened by expenses at Eyemouth, and had to appoint a deputy in his office as surveyor. In 1549 he went to London to claim eighteen months' arrears of sums due for Eyemouth, and complained that other services had not been rewarded. Three years later (9 June 1552) 100l. of his debt of 300l. to the crown was remitted by the king through Northumberland's influence. In November 1552 another marshal of Berwick was appointed in Gower's place, and in 1558 he is mentioned as master of the ordinance in the north parts. In 1559 he complained that one Bennett had been appointed over his head, and was apparently replaced, as he held the post in 1560, when he was made master of the ordinance in the army sent to besiege Leith. On his return he continued to be employed in surveying defences. In 1569 the Earl of Sussex sent him to assist the mayor in the fortification of Newcastle. In 1577 he is last mentioned in a letter sent to the council from the Earl of Huntingdon, enclosing a report from him on Kingston-upon-Hull, whither he had been sent to survey the castle and forts. He is spoken of as a ‘man well given in religion, and of good experience.’ By his first wife, Anne, daughter of James Mauleverer, esq., he left a son and successor, Edward.
