Remembering Hugh Hendry

I have the honour to promote the memory of Hugh Hendry ...

I have the honour to promote the memory of Hugh Hendry, 2nd Engineer at the pumping station, who lived with his family in the fine house that stands on the brim of the Works Hill. Now, you must understand, the 2nd Engineer reported to the Chief Engineer and was not the second Chief Engineer (that would be Jack Dann). There was also a 3rd Engineer who reported to the 2nd Engineer. They had similar responsibilities but, so they had no doubt about their station in life, we arranged for the 3rd Engineer's house to be set back and situated a bit lower than the 2nd Engineer's place. But I digress ...

The 2nd Engineer's House at the top of the Works Hill (1980), where Hugh Hendry and his family lived until 1909. Photograph courtesy of the Mahoney Family Collection

Hugh was a man of science. In 1899, he set about solving a problem that had troubled the Board for some time. We needed a reliable meter to relay the water level of the Mt Crosby reservoir to the pumping station. Hugh invented and patented an electric reservoir gauge using very up-to-date technology (Leclanché cells* etc).

Hugh and his electric gauges worked at Mt Crosby until Christmas 1909 - then something tragic happened. On Boxing Day, residents heard the sensational news that Hugh had drowned; swept away while attempting to cross the swollen Brisbane River at Colledges Crossing.

Forty years later, Hugh’s wife handed over his patent letters to the State Archives, suggesting they be preserved. She wanted his efforts remembered and, no doubt, the letters had been serving in this role for years. He has been remembered, but the price of fame was high for Hugh, especially if you consider that a well-timed headstand has been known to work.

I remain your ob. servant and chief engineer,
Joe Stewart

* A modern Duracell battery is a form of Leclanché cell (invented in 1866 by French scientist Georges Leclanché).