MR. DAVID CAIRD.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. David Caird, builder and contractor of Barrow, which occurred at one o’clock on Monday afternoon, at his London residence, West Hampstead. He had been ailing for some time, and on the 22nd of December last, he went out under medical advice to the Canaries for a change of air, but returned home on the 19th of February, sooner than he had originally intended, and since then he has been gradually breaking up. Mr. Caird came to Barrow in the early seventies, and one of the first jobs he undertook was the building of the Barrow Flax and Jute Works. He sub-let the contracts for brickwork to Mr. Steen, and for stone work to Mr. Garden. Subsequently he was joined in partnership by Mr. Thomson, and under the style of Caird and Thomson built the Scotch flats at Hindpool, the Scotch flats at Old Barrow, the Steel Company’s cottages at Roose, Carnforth Station, and several stations on the route to Whitehaven. After Mr. Thomson left him, he became a partner in the firm of David Noble and Company, Shipbuilders, Gaving Dock Shipyard, and when Mr. Noble left the business, Mr. Caird was joined by Mr. Purdie, and under the style of Caird and Purdie, several cargo and other steamers were built at this yard. Subsequently Mr. Burns was taken into the business, under the style of Caird, Purdie, and Co., but after a year or two the partnership was dissolved, since when no shipbuilding operations have been carried on, but Mr. Caird floated another company in connection with this yard, the Iron and Steel Plant Company, Limited, and this has done a good business in the building of tanks, the manufacture of steel barrels and other special work. Mr. Caird, along with Mr. T. Barlow-Massicks bought the Vulcan Works, Salthouse, and commenced operations as a limited company in forge and other work, but the business was not carried on for long. Mr. Caird after the closing of Westray and Copeland’s iron foundry and engineering works in Hindpool-road, took over the concern, and it has been very busily at work since. This is especially the fact in recent years. At the time of his death Mr. Caird was at work erecting over 100 cottage houses, on Old Barrow Island. He took a big interest in the Kerosene Oil Company, Ltd., and was its managing director up to the time of his death. Only a few months ago he sold his charming mansion, of Tod Busk, at Ulverston, to Mr. F. J. Crossfield. Mr. Caird was married three times, and leaves a widow, as well as a grown up son and daughter by his second wife. He was 53 years of age. Flags were hoisted half mast high at the Furness Foundry, the Iron and Steel Plant Works, and at the Barrow Club. The funeral took place at West Hampstead Cemetery on Wednesday, at noon. Representatives were present from the Barrow Works, the officials and workmen of which sent some very beautiful floral tributes. There were also present at the graveside numerous representatives of the London business houses, with which deceased had for so long connected himself, and amongst the many floral wreaths, were those from the Anglo-American Oil Company, and the Kerosene Oil Company. The first portion of the sad ceremony was conducted at the deceased’s private residence.

Barrow News, 15 April 1899