I. Engineering Training技術研修

I-1. Apprenticeship徒弟制研修

(1) McCallum and Dundas Civil Engineers Officeマッカラム・アンド・ダンダス技術事務所

--The Firm was the largest engineering office in Edinburgh at that time. Dundas was from Dundas Arniston, that supported foundation of the Ordnance survey.  

--エジンバラのロイヤル・ハイスクールを卒業し、17歳で徒弟制技術研修に入った。マッカラム・アンド・ダンダス技術事務所は19世紀半ばエジンバラ最大の技術事務所で、多くの測量や鉄道建設を請け負っていた。この事務所のジョン・フランシス・ダンダスは、18世紀半ばスコットランドにおける政府測量事業を資金及び技術的に支援したダンダス家の出身であった。この事務所は1865年からニュージーランドの鉄道建設にも関わっている。

-McVean's Letter to his father telling 1st years of apprenticeship 

                                                                                                                                        9th Febry / 57

                                                                                                                             8 Saxe Coburg Place

My dear Papa,

        I got your letter enclosed in Mr Wilson’s the other day and was very glad to hear that you are getting better, I will answer Mr Wilson’s as soon as I can.  I am obliged now to keep a journal whether I will or not, at least of all the work I do there is a thundering large book, like a Ledger, in the office in which we all have to put down every thing we do at the end of every day.  I only began a short time ago and I expect a tremendous blowing up for it some day or other, when the books are looked over, for all the time I have missed out will be lost to the Firm & some of it worth a guinea a day.  I have begun going to a class. I go to a Dr. Nicol in the south Bridge.  He is the best teacher in Edinr. I believe and I was recommended to go to him.  I have only been with him for a few days so that I can hardly tell you much about it yet  I got a guinea from Mr C. to pay him but I expect I will have to go to the country before the quarter is out & I do not know whether he will let me finish the quarter again or not  I am to learn Practical Mathematics Algebra and Arithmetic but I  require money for I must get some books and instruments.  I go to my class at 11 o'clock and leave at 12 and I take a quarter of an hour walking from the office to the class room.

  I was at tea at Mrs Thompsons on Friday night and she took me to a concert in the Music Hall.  I liked it very much, a Miss Catherine Hays sang very well (splendidly) she is one of the first singers of the day I think.  It was a tremendously Aristocratic affair.

 On Saturday I went to a Grand Highland Festival in the Music Festival in the Music Hall : a Musical Festival of course nearly every body was there from Mr McCallum downwards and upwards I went with Charly Wahab and we got into the orchestra just right on to the stage among the pipers, the two most celebrated were Lord Breadalbane’s old piper John McKenzie and Donald Bain the piper hero of the Alma who, of his own accord marched at the head of the 42nd, playing the Campbells are coming, while that Regt. was storming the Hights under Sir Colin.  He is a regular brick and talks gaelic as if he never had been out of the Highlands  I had a long talk with him  in gaelic while the performances were going on & when it was not his turn to play, but the

-- McVean's Letter to his father telling 1st years of apprenticeship ＊Date unknown

                                                                                                                             10 Saxe Coburg Place

                                                                                                                                         Thursday

My dear Papa,

                             I received your letter of the 15th and the enclosed £1 safe.  I paid it today and now send you the receipt for it and the former one you sent me.  I paid it at the time, but forgot to send you the receipt.  I also posted Mr McLachlan’s letter the day I got it.   I wrote you about a week ago giving you all the information I could think of at the time. but I will try and do it over again.

  When I go into the Foundry I will have to hammer iron & file and work from 6 in the morning to 6 at night with an hour’s rest for breakfast and an hour for dinner.  I will not have to pay anything for it as I have Mr Cowan’s interest, or in Mr Dundases, if I have to go there, but neither will I receive anything for my work as I will do more harm than good to them My reasons for going into a foundry to qualify myself for the Navy are 1st because there are 6 months or so of my apprenticeship to serve yet, and that during that 6 months, there is not prospect of anything to do in the office, and that Mr Dundas will let me away 2nd that I am over age for the India public works department, 3rd that there is very little chance of my getting employment as a C.E. here after my time is out, and, that if I should which is very doubtfull, I would only get £80 or £90 and my living to take out of that, & very little chance of promotion of course my going into the foundry will not destroy my chance  of getting any appointment going such as he Crinan, it will rather increase it, I would take that if I could get it but as for waiting for it it would be worse than lost time.  I have good hope of passing the Govt examination after being in the foundry and if not why I am only as I would have been if I had never tried it as I am to be here at any rate. & it is as well to have two strings to ones bow if possible whatever happens I wont be the worse of it or more expensive.  and another thing I am tired of living on Charity you know what need there is that I should get something to do when my time is out I want to be able to buy my own books and not to have to go and beg them when I want them

  Mrs J Cowan’s death has of course taken his attention of my affair and I do not like to speak of it again till he choses to do so first. but I cannot wait longer than this month.  I must go into Mr Dundase’s foundery by the beginning of March if I do not hear from Mr. C. before then, Mr Morton’s it the  best in one way and I would not have to leave town.  but I will have to leave Mrs Cameron and take lodgings in Queensferry if I go to Dundas’s.  Mr John Cowan is to get me into one of those large passenger steamers to get my hand in to the driving, so as that I wont blow the first steamboat I have charge of to the clouds, instead of her proper destination they are about the size of a Clansman and a half and I will either go into one of the Baltic ones or to Hambourg which ever suits. all my friends here approve of the thing. I spoke to the Abercrombies about it and a young friend of theirs they told me has just got an appointment to one of the P & O companies boats in the Med sea, as an assistant engineer and they said they considered it a very good appointment they are all gentlemen or at any rate supposed to be so and are treated as such in the Navy they are commissioned officers and mess with the Lieutenants, of course as I said before my going into the foundry does not make it necessary for me to go to sea  -  Write soon and tell me if you have anything to say to those reasons.  If you take my advice you will by next winter have Dugald in a foundry, as I am glad to hear he is getting strong again, don’t think it is because I am flighty and have romantic notions of blue coats and brass buttons that I advise this but because Mechanical engineering is one of the best professions going in the mail service and the other large companies, they give their engineers 25, 30, & 35 & some even more per month besides their keep and food, so I again advise you to think of it for Dugald and Archy – get information for yourself and see if I am not right.  I do not know what I am to do for clothes.  I think it is time I was able to get them for myself write me soon

                                             Your affect. son

                                             CA McVean 

--McVean's Letter to His brother, Dugald.

                                             9th Febry 1858

My dear Dugald

     I came in from Pennycuik yesterday at 6 o'clock in the morning so as to be in time for my class, at eight, & I am so sleepy in consequence that I can hardly keep my eyes open tonight. 10th That last sentence was hardly sense but I have no time to wright another letter or to carry on the wrighting as I began it in this one. 

Tell Papa that I got the money he sent me all safe :  I was very sorry to hear that both you and he were so ill but I hope that by this time you are both quite well again I have not got any cheap chessmen yet, but Callum Turner or Neil or any person of that sort would make them just as good as you could get them here I will send Papa his Almanack along with this I forgot it or I would have sent it before now.  We had some frost here the other day but not enough to give us any skating.  I am afraid we are to have none this winter at all. have you had in Iona.  I am perhaps going to Glasgow to see Aunt Belle Aunt Anne next Saturday.  did Aunt Jayne and Aunt  Jessie ever get a letter from me  I wrote them a short time ago.

                                             Your affect. Brother

                                                C.A. McVean

--Testimonial from D. McCallum Esq C.E.

                                (Copy)

                                                                                                                                Greenock

                                                                                                                                11th Octr 1860

My dear Sir,

                                Until this moment I have been utterly unable to reply to your letter of the 1st Inst.

Mr Dundas will take the necessary steps for having Colin’s indenture discharged.  He will also bear his testimony to the manner in which your son has conducted himself while under our orders –

                I have not the smallest hesitation in assuring you, and all whom it may concern, that he has throughout our intercourse – conducted himself both in his professional and private character – to my entire satisfaction – and that I shall ever feel a warm interest in his future career - - -

                                                (signed) D.  McCallum

 To Revd  D. McVean

                                C. McVean Esq

                                                Leith

 written sideways

(2) C.A. McVean’s   Discharge of Indenture  1861

 I, John Francis Dundas Civil Engineer 143 Princes Street Edinburgh in respect that Colin McVean has served as Apprentice to M’Callum & Dundas Civil Engineers Edinburgh in terms of his indenture for the five years therein contained properly and faithfully

  Therefore I on behalf of the said M’Callum & Dundas do hereby exoner and discharge him of the said indenture whole purport and effect thereof so far as the same was incumbent on him and oblige myself to warrant this discharge to be good and sufficient at all hands. In Witness whereof these presents written by me are subscribed on behalf of the said M’Calum & Dundas at Edinburgh the seventh day of June eighteen hundred and sixty one in presence of these Witnesses James Bowman Civil Engineer Edinburgh and William Rutherford Apprentice to the dais M’Callum and Dundas

                                                                                                J.F. Dundas

                                                                Edinburgh 7th June 1861

                James Bowman Witness

                William Rutherford Witness

○徒弟制技術研修は、通常夕方早くに終わり、向学心旺盛な青年たちはその後に職業学校にいって理論の学習を補った。エジンバラにも技術系ギルドスクールがいくつかあったが、マクヴェインがどこでどのような講義を受講していたのかは不明。

II. First Work最初の仕事

II-1. Hydrographic Office, Admiralty海軍水域測量局

(1) Recommendation from Henry Charles Otter, Captain in the Hydrographic Office海軍水域測量局

                                                                                                                       Edinburgh

                                                                                                                       Feb 29 1864

This is to certify that Mr Colin A. McVean has been employed in the Admiralty Survey under my command. since June 1861, and that he only leaves me because of the survey being about to be closed.

               I have great pleasure in stating that he has at all times given me perfect satisfaction in the manner in which he has carried out my wishes, and performed the services instructed to him. During the past summer he had charge of a detached portion of the survey of South Uist, and both in the Hydrographic as well as the Topographic branch  he has displayed skill, perseverance, and intelligence. -  He is of abstemious and moral habits and I can recommend him as a confidential trust worthy gentleman –

                                Henry C. Otter

                                Captain in charge of Admiralty Survey

(2) Contract with William McCandlish for construction of Varna Railways, 1864-

Dated                         1864

William McCandlish

with

Colin A. McVean

Agreement

Articles of Agreement made and entered into this seventeenth day of March One thousand eight hundred and sixty four Between William McCandlish of No 1 Park Prospect, Westminster  Engineer in Chief of the Varna Railway of the one part and Colin A. McVean of No 8 Duke Street Edinburgh of the other part.

Now it is hereby mutually agreed by and between the said Parties hereto as follows : -

1.       The said Colin A. McVean shall on the seventeenth day of March 1864 or as soon thereafter as he shall be required by the said William McCandlish proceed to Varna by such route as shall  be appointed by the said William McCandlish for that purpose.

2.        That he shall reside in Turkey at such place or places as the said William McCandlish or the principal assistant or manager acting for the time being for the said William McCandlish shall from time to time direct.

3.       That the chief employment of the said Colin A. McVean shall be to assist in Surveying, Levelling, Measuring up works, plotting surveys and levels, drawing and designing bridges, culverts and other works of a like nature, copying plans, Sections and drawings and generally doing and performing all such matters and things as an Assistant Engineer may be required to do when engaged in that capacity.

4.       That he shall faithfully and diligently employ himself in the service of the said William McCandlish and shall devote the whole of his time and attention thereto and shall obey and execute the instructions of the said William McCandlish and the said principal assistant for the time being.

5.       That he will keep just and correct accounts of all work done and particulars required of him in the books of the said William McCandlish kept for that purpose and will deliver the same to the said William McCandlish upon the termination of this engagement with all accounts, plans, field books, letters and instructions which may at any time have been given to him.

6.       That he shall pay due and becoming respect to the civil and Religious Institutions of Turkey, and abstain from all interference therewith.

7.       That this agreement is to remain in force for nine months from the time the said Colin A. McVean shall leave England and include the time occupied in the voyage or journey back to England, unless previously determined under the powers and conditions herein contained, subject to extension as may be mutually agreed  upon.

8.       That the said William McCandlish shall pay to the said Colin A. McVean a salary after the rate of Fifteen pounds sterling per month such salary to commence and be calculated from the seventeenth day of March 1864 and the sum of five pounds per month part thereof shall be paid either in Turkey or to the order of the said Colin A McVean in England in the lawful current money of Great Britain or its equivalent in the coin current of Turkey at the Exchange of the day, and the residue of the said salary shall be paid on the termination of the engagement hereby entered into.

9.       The said William McCandlish shall pay the travelling expenses of the said Colin A. McVean to and from Turkey, and will also provide for such expenses (exclusive of wine beer spirits and tobacco) as the said Colin A McVean may properly incur whilst engaged in the prosecution of his duties under this Agreement but not otherwise.

10.     That if the said Colin A McVean shall wilfully disobey the orders and directions of the said William McCandlish, or the said principal assistant for the time being, or shall be found incompetent for the efficient discharge of his duties or become inattentive thereto, or intemperate, or otherwise shall not fulfil in all respects the articles, provisions and intentions of this Agreement, of which the said William McCandlish shall be the sole judge, he shall be liable to be forthwith dismissed by the said  William McCandlish and all his beneficial interest in this agreement shall cease, and he shall not be entitled to be paid his travelling expenses from Turkey to England.

W. McCandlish

Signed by the said

                                                                                                Colin A McVean

10-3. Recommendations推薦書

III. Work in Bulgariaブルガリアでの仕事

III-1. Verna-Rustick Railways

(1) Recommendation from Henry C

(2) McVean's Letter to His Father

                                                                                                    Varna and Rustchuck Railway

                                                                                                     31st July 1865

My dear Papa

  I recd your last letter and a news paper by last post, and was very glad to get them and to see you were all well at home  -

  I was very sorry to hear of poor Lockhirt Elder’s death  Mr & Mrs Elder must feel it very much  -  I had written to him about two months  ago nearly  -  of course not expecting him to answer it -  but I put in some sketches and I thought would amuse him  - and saying I would write at intervals

  I am also very sorry to hear that Mr [Campble Ruffers] is not all right but hope he will get over it all right

  There is a prospect of a great deal of work in this country just now and all in the hands of McCandlish & Barkley  -  a new line in Wallachia and a line from Constantinople to Adrianople  -  going on for certain next year if not this, and sundry others projected  -

  I suppose you will be having the usual run of visitors to keep you alive   -  it must be very pleasant for the Cowans to have a yacht at home it makes life in the islands so much more enjoyable   -  The garden appears to improve every year we did not use to have much quantities of fruit – it is a pity you could not transplant it to Ross  -  our fruits here are coming in now melons  grapes peaches &c &c and very nice they are in the  hot weather  -  I gave you a very low estimate of the heat in my last letter  -  not having a Thermometer myself - - for it is oftener at 96°to 100°in the shade and 145° to 150° in the sun  -  so you see it is no joke to have to ride about as far as to Tyree every second day, and often every day  -  in heat like that  -  I bought a very good sun hat in London, that I find a great comfort now  -  it and a Turban keep my head pretty cool  -  I have not got my box yet but hope it will soon come now we are expecting some saddles and a lot of other things from [Keef bs]  and I suppose they will all come together  -

  I am going to ride into Rustchuck  tonight – it is the end of the mo: and I allways go in either at the beginning or end of a month to  make my report and get orders if any thing new is to be done  -  I am going [under] night this time to escape the heat  -  when I come back I am going to Rasgrad to live  I have taken a house there -  garden & all stable &c &c  -  it is small but pretty comfortable, and big enough for me  -  3 rooms Kitchen and servants room and stable  - and Verandah of course it is like all the other houses here eastern [note at head of this page]

  I may possibly send home some money next mo : if I save enough to make it worth while £30 or so and from the street looks like the ruin of a house with its latticed windows. but once in the courtyard inside the big gate, and it looks very trim and nice all white washed and fruit trees shading the verandah but I will send a sketch of it some time or other  -  my cook is the heaviest item in my expenditure I have to give him 36 Lira a year and his keep   Lira is about 18 shillings my Cavass groom & horse the company provide and keep  -  my house rent is not very much in Lira a month  -  but  living altogether is very high.  I do not know exactly how much money I have on hand from last quarter  -  but it will not be very much I am afraid  -  I have to pay all my new horses and traveling expenses out of my own money and then charge the coy – with it afterwards so that I have to keep a good deal on hand always which is rather a nuisance

  I have managed to get a carte of a cavass he is not my own man but they are all alike as to dress & equipment. and one does as well as another as a specimen. however I will get one of my own men taken as soon as I can & send it to you  -  I also send two [Zafter’s] officer and private they are our government escort, but our private body guard is much the most imposing looking and best dressed of the two –

  If I can get good int…. here for my money I think that I will keep it here for some time  -  but when I have any to lay aside I will let you know I had a letter from Max  -  by last post  -  he is a capital correspondent – and gives very interesting accts of Newfoundland and the people there  The cod fishermen &c  -

  4th August  Rustchuck.  I have been here for the day now and will start back to Rasgrad to day sometime  I have just had a letter from George  -  it has been here some time but forgotten or misplaced somehow

  I find that letters going from here are cut and fumigated now because of the cholera  -  and I am afraid they may spoil the “carte” but if they do I will manage to get another  -  I think  -  there is no cholera here  -  but at Constantinople it is pretty bad I believe  -  the heat is some thing dreadful here just now 95 shade and 150° in sun  -  it is enough to  melt one  -  the evenings however are a little cool  -  I  remain with love to all at home

                                             Your affect son

                                                C.A. McVean