John Charles King 1907 

John Charles King, "Charles" to his work mates, was an engineer at a time when many projects that were fundamental to the development of the State took place.  His main contributions include the design of tramlines along Perth’s arterial roads and the design of power stations at South Fremantle and East Perth.  He retired as Chief Engineer of the East Perth Power Station and Sub Head of the State Electricity Department.

In 1908 his potential was revealed when he won a scholarship in Mechanical Drawing at Midland Junction Technical School.  

He commenced his career with the Midland Railway Company as a fitter and turner, however this was interrupted by World War I.   He served with the newly formed Royal Australian Army/Air Corps which was the forerunner of the Australian Airforce until was badly injured while "throwing a prop" to start an airplane in England.  The propeller hit his arm. Amputation was the normal procedure for such injuries at the time however the attending doctor decided to try to save the arm.  The doctor’s decision was in part influenced by the fact that Charles had a copy of the West Australian Sunday Times with him and by chance the doctor was also a West Australian.  Because of this empathy the doctor decided to take the more difficult course of saving the arm.

The arm injury led to a battle with gangrene.  On his return to Perth Charles spent two years in Fremantle Hospital.  He recovered fully in due course, but the arm had somewhat restricted movement.  This made it impossible for him to return to his work as a fitter and turner but he was able to obtain work with the Government Electricity and Tramways Department as a draughtsman.

In time he became the Chief Department Draughtsman.  In this capacity he oversaw the development of the State trolley bus system.  Despite being an administrator much of his design work was hands-on.  WA’s trolley routes presented unique difficulties.   Standard electric tram wires had insufficient conductivity so Charles developed a better metallic alloy.  These metals were smelted, tested and eventually produced at the Midland Railway Workshops.

Together with "Willie" Taylor, Head of the Tramways and Electrical Department, he designed an extension to the East Perth Power station.  They assembled a Parsons turbine known as Number 6 and installed it in this extension.  Number 6 was a powerhouse in all senses of the word.  It was one of the largest of its kind in the world at that time and became the backbone of the power system.  It is sentimentally remembered for its faithful service and for the historic role it played in carrying WA’s formative industrial development on its back for many years.

While still in this position he designed the South Fremantle Power Station.  Its location on the foreshore south of Fremantle was chosen so the turbines could be cooled by sea water.  He was also responsible for a number of other Government projects which were required including the designing of railway stations and offices.  He was even called upon to design a swimming pool and a commercial ferry.

When the State Government decided to divide the Department into two sections –Tramways and Electricity, he chose to remain with the Electricity Department as he preferred the engineering involved in that area.

He was appointed Head of the East Perth Power Station and Government Sub Head of the State Electricity Department.  He retired from that position on 22 April 1949.

Thanks to Phil and Richard King for providing this information.

Back to Profiles
Back to Engineering
Back to 1900 -1909