SMEATON, JOHN. Smeaton's name will always be held in respect as long as engineer ing skill calls forth admiration. He was horn near Leeds in 1724; he came to London about 1742, and established himself as a mathema tical instrument maker in Great Turnstile, Holborn. In 1751 he constructed a machine for measuring a ship's way at sea; and in 1753 was engaged in a course of experiments concerning the natural powers of water and wind to turn mills and other machines depend ing on circular motion.' The results of these experiments were published in 1759, and ob tained for him the Copley gold medal of the Royal Society in that year, Smeaton had in 1753 been made a member of the Royal So ciety ; and had contributed to the ' Transac tions ' even before that date. In 1754 he visited Holland and the Netherlands. In 1766 he commenced the great work which, more than any other, may be looked upon as a monument of his skill—the Eddystone Light house. [LIGHTHOUSES.] In 1764 Smeaton was the successful candi date for the office of receiver of the Dement water estate, the funds of which were, after its forfeiture in 1715, appropriated to Green wich Hospital. While holding this office he greatly improved the estate, the mines and mills of which required the superintendence of such a man to make them of their full value. Increasing business induced him, in 1777, to relinquish this engagement. Of the many useful works executed by Smeaton, Ramsgate harbour perhaps holds, next the Eddystone Lighthouse, the most prominent place. This work was commenced in 1749,
and was placed under his superintendence in 1774 ; hut was completed by the two Rennies, father and son. Smeaton laid out the line of the great canal connecting the western and eastern shores of Scotland, from the Forth to the Clyde, and superintended the execution of great part of it. The Spurn Lighthouse at the mouth of the Humber, some important bridges in Scotland, and many other works of like character were executed by him.
About 1783 Smeaton's declining health rendered it necessary for him to avoid entering upon many new undertakings. He then de.. voted much attention to the publication of an account of the Eddystone Lighthouse, which was to have been followed by a Treatise on Mills,' and other works embodying his valu able experience as an engineer. He died Oct.
1792 ; and his numerous professional reports were published after his death by a society of his friends engaged in kindred pur suits, in three quarto volumes, to which a fourth was subsequently added; consisting of his miscellaneous papers communicated to the Royal Society, &c. Besides the works already mentioned, Smeaton introduced many improvements in mathematical apparatus, and had an ardent love for science.