AN author has donated 10 copies of his book celebrating a ‘forgotten Manx genius’ to the island’s five secondary schools.
Bob Stimpson, deputy chairman of the Isle of Man Victorian Society, wanted the island to benefit from his book William Kennish: Manninagh Dooie – True Manxman.
He presented the books to Education and Children Minister Peter Karran MHK and Ballakermeen High School head teacher Adrienne Burnett at the Douglas school, which his three daughters attended.
Mr Stimpson said: ‘Our family connections with Ballakermeen are strong and the gift of two books to Ballakermeen is one small thank you to the excellence so effectively nurtured there by Mrs Burnett.
‘My gift of two books to each of the other secondary schools is driven by the desire to provide as wide a coverage of William Kennish’s life and career to as many students as possible, showing just what can be achieved if you apply yourself to the challenges life sets you.’
Labelled a ‘dunce’ at school, Kennish struggled with reading and writing but overcame his learning difficulties after joining the Royal Navy. He rose to become ‘master carpenter’ of the entire Mediterranean fleet in only seven years, Mr Stimpson said.
‘In a modern warship he would be called the chief engineer, and considered a high flier – an example of achievement in the face of adversity.’
Kennish invented the first effective way of concentrating a broadside (the forerunner of the modern gun turret) and, after exploring south of Panama and discovering the first canal route linking the Pacific to the Atlantic which did not require locks, was the first to disprove the misconception at the time the Pacific would drain into the Atlantic.
He was responsible for several other inventions, a mantle taken over by his son, William, who was also chief concrete inspector for the plinth of the Statue of Liberty in New York.
The book is published on the eve of the 150th anniversary of William Kennish’s death on March 19, 1862, in New York.
Mr Stimpson said: ‘Kennish was a great Manxman, and over the past six years it has given me the greatest pleasure to research this almost forgotten genius, receiving information from the Manx Museum, the National Archives in the UK and Kennish’s own descendants in the USA, to name but a few sources. I hope the book will inspire students on to greater things, showing them anything can be achieved if you act with determination.’
The book, which will be on sale in local bookshops for £26, is being published by Lily Publications with the assistance of the Manx Heritage Foundation.
Mr Karran said: ‘There are many great Manx names in history and, with the publication of this book, hopefully William Kennish’s achievements will be similarly recognised.’