MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Great Britain liner stalwart dies
The Royal Navy Admiral and marine engineer involved in restoration of the liner ss Great Britain, rescued from the Falkland Islands in 1970, has died in the United Kingdom, aged 79.
Rear Admiral James Flower, CB, after a distinguished naval career, was particularly involved in the engineering restoration of the ss Great Britain at Bristol, the port to which she returned after languishing as a wreck in the Falklands for more than 80 years.
Rear Admiral Flower brought vast marine engineering experience to the task among the team of eccentric enthusiasts rebuilding the vessel, which is now preserved as an educational and heritage centre in Bristol's Great Western Dockyard where she was built under the personal direction of Britain's famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The work of rebuilding the ancient propulsion unit, which he led, will take another three years. He had to do a great deal of research to replicate the nineteenth century machinery as there are no original drawings. He also did much of the fund-raising for the project.
In a distinguished Royal Navy career of nearly 40 years, he served in a cruiser and battleship in the 1939-1945 war. He worked on the development of Britain's first nuclear-powered submarine, Dreadnought, and on marine gas turbine propulsion engines developed from aero engines. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1980 after holding senior posts as Port Admiral at Portsmouth Naval Base, and Director of Ship Engineering and Post Design at Bath.
He was involved in local politics as a Liberal Democrat member of Bath and North-East Somerset Council. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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