Notable South Australians/J. W. Jenkinson, A.M.I.C.E.
J. W. Jenkinson, A.M.I.C.E.,
WHO died at Pernambuco, on March 10, 1885, was a young man of great engineering talent and for some years on the staff of the Hydraulic Engineer's Department in this colony, where he had charge of the outside works. He began his professional career in the establishment of Messrs. Simpson & Co., the celebrated makers of pumping machinery and waterworks appliances in London, and in 1879 came to South Australia, having, at the request of Mr. Oswald Brown, the late Hydraulic Engineer, been engaged by the Government as draftsman. Whilst here he made himself so useful in the department, and displayed such great practical knowledge of all the details of water supply, that his position was soon improved, and at the time of his leaving the colony he was in receipt of a salary of £525 per annum. By his aid the Adelaide water works were made a remunerative undertaking. He left the colony with a view to devote his time to more extensive works, in September 1884, and on arrival in Brazil was placed in charge of the construction of important reservoirs for the supply of water to Pernambuco. This undertaking, estimated to cost £120,000, was designed by Mr. Oswald Brown, who spent three months in Pernambuco in 1884. Although this place is said to be one of the healthiest in Brazil, yellow fever occasionally prevails, and it was to this that Mr. Jenkinson succumbed at the early age of thirty. He had fully intended to return to settle in South Australia, as he had made many friends during his sojourn in this country.