Russell Allport

(James) Russell Allport (died 5 February 1914 in Suva, Fiji) was an Australian electrical engineer in Hobart, Tasmania.

Life and work Russell Allport was born in as a son of Morton Allport and his wife Elizabeth, née Ritchie. After completing his education in this city he proceeded to Mount Cameron, at the north-eastern end of the Tasmanian island at the age of 17, and then obtained his first experience in engineering at the Longreach Dredging and Tin-Mining Co. He continued there some time, and then went to England, and entered the company of Spagnoletti & Crookes as an apprentice, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the profession of engineer.

He first went to work on the City and South London Railway which was being built underground. He was next sent by the same company to Notting Hill Electric Light Station. This low voltage electric power supply station worked on the three wire system with accumulators, supplying an area of two square miles. Russell Allport soon grasped the fundamental principles of the business, and gained valuable experience. But it was at Ferranti's work at Deptford that he gained his knowledge of high voltage electrical engineering. Two machines of 10,100 horse-power each were constructed at these works, capable of supplying light to 200,000 glow lamps of 16 c.p. each. These machines overall measured in height; the magnets had a weight of 460 tons, and the armatures 325 tons. The main shaft weighed 37 tons, and was turned from the largest ingot of steel ever cast in Scotland. The machines that could be opened out in five minutes, to make repairs to the armature of the dynamo.

He purchased subsequently land in Melville Street, on which he erected a brick factory on the most modern lines. Within four years he employed 15 persons. He expanded his premises further comprising front offices and stores, a commodious machinery workshop and engine room, a carpenter's shop, brass and iron foundry, and smithy. The implements used were four lathes, planing, drilling, shaping, and screwing machines. Russell Allport added also the necessary appliances for taking Röntgen X ray photographs, so that a most useful institution, even in this particular alone, has been founded. He has built at this establishment a steam engine of 30 horse power to order. He has been credited for having built the finest manufacturing plant in the southern part of Tasmania.

Projects (selection) Electric locomotive Electric light of Gaiety Theatre, Zeehan 17-light electrical installation for the steamer Banks Peninsula of Messrs T. A. Reynolds and Co (November 1895).