3-017-072 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Late Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Stewart, Director-General of the Indo-European Telegraph, 1865. Portrait of '...a most able and active officer of the Royal Engineers...This highly-promising and already much distinguished member of the scientific branch of our military service died at Constantinople...having just accomplished the most difficult part of his task by the completion of the telegraphic line from Bagdad to Bushire. He was only thirty-two years of age, but had run a very brilliant career...he was constantly engaged in urging the Ottoman authorities to organise at least one thoroughly efficient wire for the Anglo-Indian telegraph service...Colonel Stewart's energy and perseverance at length prevailed over the apathy of the Turkish officials, and the whole system was put into a good working condition...Sharp and severe Indian sicknesses...were reasons for a relaxation of labour. He had not been well for many weeks; but he could not be persuaded to quit Constantinople...About Christmas he was seriously ill. On the 28th of December his malady assumed the form of cerebral affection; an intermittent fever supervened, followed by a complication of disorders. He died on the 16th of January'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.