McManus 168

Born in Dundee in 1820, David Pirie was the son of Alexander Pirie and his wife Agnes Greig^[1].

Pirie was regarded as a tough man to work for, sacking staff without notice,^[17] but was a successful business man throughout the last half of the 19th century. His firm won contracts for many notable Dundee projects, including for the first street signs in 1865, so they were also sign writers^[18].

In about 1876 Pirie joined forces with Alexander Croom, clerk, 38 Small’s Wynd, Perth Road, Dundee^[19] and the following year the firm of Pirie and Croom was awarded the patent for “an improved machine for cutting paper hangings“, the documents for which are housed in Dundee City Archives.^[20] The firm manufactured the machines at its Crichton Street premises.^[19]

Notably, Pirie was one of the expert witnesses at the inquiry into the failure of the original Tay Bridge and the resulting disaster on 28 December 1879,^[21] mentioning that the columns vibrated and loosened rivets:^[22]

“David Pirie, Painter, Dundee. Examined by Mr Trayner—Went over the Bridge with a view to contract to paint it, and examined the structure pretty carefully. The examination was made the end of May or beginning of June last year. He saw a good number of bolts and screws lying on the upper portions of the booms, but these he supposed had been left lying after the Bridge had been finished. Did not observe any of the bolts out of their place, or any of the screws without their heads. Did not get the contract paint the Bridge. Was three different days inspecting the Bridge,  during the time trains were running. When at the north end of the high girders, and within them, felt the vibration of the Bridge as soon as the train entered on the girders, the train advanced, a wavy motion followed, which continued to increase until the train passed. Lattice work also vibrated very much, but did not think it was such as to have shaken off the paint off any of the booms. At times the vibration was more violent than others, and that, he thought, was owing to the speed of the train.”^[23]

 

Pirie was much involved with Dundee business in general, including the Loch Line steamship company and the company which began the Dundee and District tramway company^[13]. In later life David shared his house with his sisters, Ann^[2][3][4] and Agnes^[2][3] before also giving a home to his niece, Anna Maria Pirie.^[4] His younger brother, George C. Pirie,^[5] was a local surgeon.^[19]

David Pirie died in Dundee on 6 February 1899 and  left an estate valued at £25,546 13s. 6d.^[24] Legacies were left to: Dundee Royal Infirmary, £100; Dundee Royal Lunatic Asylum, £100; Bannatyne Home of Rest, £50; Dundee Institution for the Blind, £50; Dundee and District Female Rescue Home, Union Place, £50; the Fund for the Relief of Indigent Gentlewomen of Scotland, £50; Dundee Industrial Schools Society, £50; the New Orphan Homes of Scotland, Bridge of Weir, £50; the Dundee Convalescent Home, Barnhill, £200; the Dundee Charity Organisation Society, £100; the Dundee Adult Free Breakfast Mission, £20; the Dundee Female Society, £50.^[25]