It is with sadness that the Institution has to announce the death, on Friday, of Professor Ernest Shannon, who was President of the Institution in 1996.
Robert William Ernest Shannon was born in Belfast in 1937. He was educated at Belfast College of Technology and The Queen’s University of Belfast, where he gained a BSc (Hons) in aeronautical engineering, and a PhD in mechanical engineering.
Ernest began his career as a Laboratory Technician with James Mackie & Sons Ltd, responsible for product testing in the plastics division. In 1956, he undertook an aircraft apprenticeship with Short Brothers. After gaining his degree, he also lectured in aeronautical engineering at Queen’s University.
It was at Queen’s that Ernest Shannon met Professor Bernard Crossland (President of the Institution in 1986), who persuaded him to become a research fellow in mechanical engineering, working on the fracture of ultra-high pressure vessels, then used for making polythene. He received a PhD for this work, and as a result was recruited by British Gas in 1970.
At this time, there had been some massive gas pipeline ruptures, particularly in the US, with fractures running at speeds up to 2000m/sec and up to 16km in length. Professor Shannon developed standards for the design, operation and repair of high pressure pipelines, and went on to lead the 350-strong team that developed British Gas’s world-beating intelligent ‘pig’ system for investigating pipelines. This received the Queen’s Awards for both technology and exports and led to Professor Shannon and his team winning the 1989 MacRobert Award for engineering excellence, as one of the engineering profession’s highest honours.
Following successful exploitation of this inspection technology worldwide, Professor Shannon became Director of Engineering Research at British Gas and then Group Director of Development, before retiring from British Gas in 1995. He subsequently worked as a Consultant and a Professorial Fellow at Queen’s University, Belfast, and was the author of many publications concerned with gas pipelines.
He was appointed Executive Director of ERA Technology in 1997-99. From 1999-2004 he was Chairman of the Northern Ireland Science Park Foundation and Chairman of the NI Science Park Holdings from 2000-2004.
Ernest Shannon worked tirelessly for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers over many years. He first joined the Institution in 1960 as an Associate, was elected a Member in 1970 and a Fellow in 1980. Ernest was elected President in 1996 during the Institution’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Throughout his time with the Institution, he chaired and served on numerous boards and committees. For many years, he chaired the Institution’s Ethics Working Group, leading a review that resulted in major changes in the principles behind, and wording of, the By-laws, Code of Conduct Regulations and Disciplinary Regulations. He led a more recent review of the documentation following the publication of the Statement of Ethical Principles by the Royal Academy of Engineering and EC (UK) which he had helped produce.
Between 2000 and 2010, he was the Chairman of the Trustee Board Awards Committee, undertaking this role with great enthusiasm using his exemplary leadership skills and great wealth of knowledge. He was instrumental in promoting the prizes and awards available from the Institution’s Trust Funds. He was a strong supporter of the importance of investment in young engineers as being the Institution’s future, ensuring that there were relevant prizes and awards available to assist them in the early stages of their careers. He was also a firm believer in recognising the achievements of eminent engineers by way of the major prizes and awards.
He served as an Industrial Advisor reviewing existing registrants and Member to Fellow applicants for membership; and was a member of the Arbitration & Appeals Committee reviewing applicants for eligibility for Corporate Membership. He gave good service as a member of the Technical Strategy Board and of the Qualifications & Membership Board.
Ernest Shannon served as President of the Institution of Gas Engineers in 1994. He also represented the profession of numerous bodies, and served as Chairman of the CEN Pressure Equipment Standards Harmonization Committee TC54; Chairman of a Nanotechnology Advisory Group; Board member of UCF (NI) Ltd and Board member of the European Prize Foundation Charitable Trust. He was also an independent member of HSE's Hatfield derailment Investigation Board.
He was awarded the CBE in 2001 for services to economic development. He received honorary doctorates from Queen’s and Sheffield Universities. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Institution of Gas Engineers in 1982, the Royal Society Mullard Award in 1992, the Freedom of the City of London in 1997 and was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers.
He leaves a widow, Annabelle and their two children.