Edward Wilding

Who was Mr Edward Wilding?

Mr Edward Wilding was a prominent English naval architect and shipbuilder who played a significant role in the design of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1875, he was a key figure at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, where he assisted in the creation of some of the most famous ocean liners of the early 20th century, including the Olympic and Titanic.

Early Life and Education

Edward Wilding was born in late 1875 at 3 Gladstone Road in Garston, Lancashire, England. He was baptized on January 9, 1876, at St Michael’s Church. His parents were Henry Wilding, who initially worked as a merchant clerk and later became a steamship office manager and Justice of the Peace, and Margaret Noblet.

A Promising Naval Career

At the young age of 15 (fifteen), Wilding embarked on a path that would shape his future:

• Joined the Royal Navy as a naval cadet
• Intended for a career in the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors (RCNC)
• After five years, promoted to Probationary Assistant Constructor
• Attended the prestigious Royal Naval College at Greenwich for a three-year naval architecture course

During his time at Greenwich, Wilding gained practical experience by rotating among various naval dockyards when classes were not in session. This hands-on approach would prove invaluable in his future career.

Professional Development

Early Career Milestones

After graduating from Greenwich around 1898, Wilding’s career took off:

1. Posted to Portsmouth Dockyard
2. Assigned to a Channel Fleet battleship for sea experience
3. Brief stint at the Admiralty for “special calculations”
4. Worked at the Admiralty Experimental Works, Haslar, under Dr. R. E. Freud, F.R.S.

His assignment to special calculations and experimental works suggests that Wilding was recognized for his exceptional talent in theory and naval architecture calculations.

Joining Harland & Wolff

In February 1904, Edward Wilding’s career took a pivotal turn when he joined Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, as a draughtsman in the design department. This move would lead him to work on some of the most iconic ships of the era.

The Titanic Connection

Design and Preparation

Wilding played a crucial role in the design of both the Olympic and Titanic, working under the supervision of Thomas Andrews. His expertise in naval architecture was instrumental in creating these technological marvels of their time.

Titanic’s Maiden Voyage

Wilding travelled on the Titanic, officially as a passenger, for her delivery trip to Southampton.

This journey allowed him to observe firsthand the ship he had helped design, providing valuable insights into its performance and capabilities.

Post-Titanic Investigations

Following the tragic sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, Edward Wilding’s expertise was called upon:

• Provided testimony to the British Inquiry regarding the ship’s seaworthiness
• Participated in the Limitation of Liability Hearings in New York in 1915

His involvement in these proceedings underscores the respect for his knowledge and the importance of his role in the ship’s design.

Personal Life

On July 5, 1910, Edward Wilding married Marion Emily Shilton in Clifton, Bristol. The couple made their home in Ireland:

• Initially resided in Knock, East Belfast
• By 1911, lived in Jordanstown, Co Antrim, a small village on the western shore of Belfast Lough

Legacy and Final Years

Edward Wilding remained an active and respected figure in shipbuilding circles for many years after the Titanic disaster. His contributions to naval architecture and his involvement in the investigations following the Titanic’s sinking ensured his place in maritime history.

Wilding passed away in 1939 at the age of 63 (sixty-three). In a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life working with the sea, his ashes were scattered in Rose bed 16 at Landican cemetery and crematorium in Woodchurch, Wirral, Merseyside.

Edward Wilding’s legacy lives on through the advancements he made in ship design and the crucial role he played in understanding one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. His work continues to fascinate historians and maritime enthusiasts to this day.