Member of Privy Council and Noted Engineer Stricken at 72
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DISASTER BROKE HIS HEART
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Recently Visited Old Friend, Ex-Kaiser---Wanted “Merry Widow Waltz” Played at Funeral
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Copyright, 1926, by The New York Times Company
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By Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES
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LONDON, March 5---Alexander Carllisle, [sic] member of the Privy Council and noted engineer, who designed the ill-fated Titanic and other great ocean liners, died today at the age of 72. He was a friend of the former Kaiser and only recently visited the imperial German exile in Doorn, Holland. He announced a few weeks ago that he was ready to die at any moment and that the prospect of death did not worry him.
Mr. Carlisle once was managing director of Harland & Wolff, the famous firm of Belfast shipbuilders, and it was said the Titanic tragedy broke his heart. Besides the former Kaiser, he knew most of the distinguished Europeans of his time. In London he was noted for his Bohemian habits. He was a brother of Viscountess Pirrie. He was made Privy Councillor by King Edward in 1907.
Several years ago he caused a sensation by shouting his protest against a bill relating to Ireland from the steps of the throne in the House of Lords. This incident led to his being deprived of his Privy Councillor's privilege of admittance to the steps of the throne.
Paid In Advance for Funeral
When his fatal illness began two months ago, Mr. Carlisle paid for his funeral services, directing that his body be cremated at Golder's Green and that the organist should play "The Merry Widow Waltz" at the funeral. "I am sure it will be more agreeable than the dead march from 'Saul'," he remarked.
The famous shipbuilder always followed his own inclinations, having scanty respect for convention. The protest he shouted from the rail at the steps to the throne of the House of Lords during the debate on the Irish Coercion bill in August, 1920, consisted of thirteen words: "My Lords, if you pass this bill, you may kill England, not Ireland." No reply was forthcoming and he left the House. A few days later, the late Earl Curzon, Foreign Secretary, sent a formal demand for an apology for "a serious affront to the dignity of their lordships." Mr. Carlisle answered that if he had offended the King he was ready to apologize amply, but that if the episode was solely regarded as an injury to the House of Lords, "then the case was different." Earl Curzon considered that this answer aggravated rather than diminished the gravity of the offense and at his request the House of Lords passed a resolution curtailing Mr. Carlisle's privileges.
Respect for the Germans
His friendship with the former Kaiser came through the marriage of his daughter to Baron Frederick von Verson, one of Wilhelm's aids. [sic] He had high respect for the Germans as shipbuilders, stating two years ago that "they are equal in every way to us as shipbuilders and operators." He prophesied that when the Germans again competed with the British in this field there would be no telling what would be the limit for the size and speed of ocean liners.
A native of Ballymena, Country Antrim, Ireland, Mr. Carlisle was a son of the late John Carlisle, M. A., headmaster of the Royal Academical Institution in Belfast. The son was educated there and entered the service of Harland & Wolff in 1870 as an apprentice. He married Edith Wooster of San Francisco, who survives, as do a son and two daughters.
His long career as a shipbuilder coincided with the tremendous modern development in construction of ocean liners. The Oceanic that was launched by Harland & Wolff in 1872 displaced 3,000 tons; the second Oceanic, in 1899, was of 17,274 tons. The increase in size continued until 1911 when 46,000 tons were reached with the Olympic and Titanic. Mr. Carlisle remained with Harland & Wolff long enough to prepare for the launching of those great ships.
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DISASTER BROKE HIS HEART
---
Recently Visited Old Friend, Ex-Kaiser---Wanted “Merry Widow Waltz” Played at Funeral
---
Copyright, 1926, by The New York Times Company
---
By Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES
---
LONDON, March 5---Alexander Carllisle, [sic] member of the Privy Council and noted engineer, who designed the ill-fated Titanic and other great ocean liners, died today at the age of 72. He was a friend of the former Kaiser and only recently visited the imperial German exile in Doorn, Holland. He announced a few weeks ago that he was ready to die at any moment and that the prospect of death did not worry him.
Mr. Carlisle once was managing director of Harland & Wolff, the famous firm of Belfast shipbuilders, and it was said the Titanic tragedy broke his heart. Besides the former Kaiser, he knew most of the distinguished Europeans of his time. In London he was noted for his Bohemian habits. He was a brother of Viscountess Pirrie. He was made Privy Councillor by King Edward in 1907.
Several years ago he caused a sensation by shouting his protest against a bill relating to Ireland from the steps of the throne in the House of Lords. This incident led to his being deprived of his Privy Councillor's privilege of admittance to the steps of the throne.
Paid In Advance for Funeral
When his fatal illness began two months ago, Mr. Carlisle paid for his funeral services, directing that his body be cremated at Golder's Green and that the organist should play "The Merry Widow Waltz" at the funeral. "I am sure it will be more agreeable than the dead march from 'Saul'," he remarked.
The famous shipbuilder always followed his own inclinations, having scanty respect for convention. The protest he shouted from the rail at the steps to the throne of the House of Lords during the debate on the Irish Coercion bill in August, 1920, consisted of thirteen words: "My Lords, if you pass this bill, you may kill England, not Ireland." No reply was forthcoming and he left the House. A few days later, the late Earl Curzon, Foreign Secretary, sent a formal demand for an apology for "a serious affront to the dignity of their lordships." Mr. Carlisle answered that if he had offended the King he was ready to apologize amply, but that if the episode was solely regarded as an injury to the House of Lords, "then the case was different." Earl Curzon considered that this answer aggravated rather than diminished the gravity of the offense and at his request the House of Lords passed a resolution curtailing Mr. Carlisle's privileges.
Respect for the Germans
His friendship with the former Kaiser came through the marriage of his daughter to Baron Frederick von Verson, one of Wilhelm's aids. [sic] He had high respect for the Germans as shipbuilders, stating two years ago that "they are equal in every way to us as shipbuilders and operators." He prophesied that when the Germans again competed with the British in this field there would be no telling what would be the limit for the size and speed of ocean liners.
A native of Ballymena, Country Antrim, Ireland, Mr. Carlisle was a son of the late John Carlisle, M. A., headmaster of the Royal Academical Institution in Belfast. The son was educated there and entered the service of Harland & Wolff in 1870 as an apprentice. He married Edith Wooster of San Francisco, who survives, as do a son and two daughters.
His long career as a shipbuilder coincided with the tremendous modern development in construction of ocean liners. The Oceanic that was launched by Harland & Wolff in 1872 displaced 3,000 tons; the second Oceanic, in 1899, was of 17,274 tons. The increase in size continued until 1911 when 46,000 tons were reached with the Olympic and Titanic. Mr. Carlisle remained with Harland & Wolff long enough to prepare for the launching of those great ships.
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