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Author’s gift to school libraries 6 February 2012  AN author has gifted copies of a book celebrating a ‘forgotten Manx genius’ to the Island’s five secondary schools.
Bob Stimpson wanted the ‘excellent education system’ in the Island to benefit from his book, William Kennish: Manninagh Dooie – True Manxman. Mr Stimpson today presented 10 copies of the 618-page hardback, published by Lily Publications with the assistance of the Manx Heritage Foundation, to Peter Karran MHK, Minister for Education and Children, and Adrienne Burnett, Headteacher of Ballakermeen High School. The handover took place in the library at Ballakermeen, which Mr Stimpson’s three daughters attended, the youngest, Rosalind, leaving after taking A levels in 2010. Mr Stimpson said: ‘Our family connections with Ballakermeen are strong and the gift of two books to Ballakermeen is one small thank you to the excellence so effectively nurtured there by Mrs Burnett. ‘My gift of two books to each of the other secondary schools is driven by the desire to provide as wide a coverage of William Kennish’s life and career to as many students as possible, showing just what can be achieved if you apply yourself to the challenges life sets you.’ Labelled a ‘dunce’ at school, Kennish struggled with reading and writing but overcame his learning difficulties after joining the Royal Navy. He rose to become Master Carpenter of the entire Mediterranean Fleet in only seven years, Mr Stimpson said. ‘In a modern warship he would be called the Chief Engineer, and considered a high flier – an example of achievement in the face of adversity.’ Kennish invented the first effective way of concentrating a broadside (the forerunner of the modern gun turret) and, after exploring south of Panama and discovering the first canal route linking the Pacific to the Atlantic which did not require locks, was the first to disprove the misconception at the time that the Pacific would drain into the Atlantic. He was responsible for several other inventions, a mantle taken over by his son, William, who was also Chief Concrete Inspector for the plinth of the Statue of Liberty – providing a little-known Manx link to this symbol of American democracy. The book is published on the eve of the 150th anniversary of William Kennish’s death on March 19th 1862 in New York. Mr Stimpson said: ‘Kennish was a great Manxman, and over the past six years it has given me the greatest pleasure to research this almost forgotten genius, receiving information from the Manx Museum, the National Archives in the UK and Kennish’s own descendants in the USA, to name but a few sources. ‘I hope the book will inspire students on to greater things, showing them anything can be achieved if you act with determination.’ Mr Karran said: ‘There are many great Manx names in history and, with the publication of this book, hopefully William Kennish’s achievements will be similarly recognised. We are grateful to Mr Stimpson for his gift.’ William Kennish: Manninagh Dooie – True Manxman is in local bookshops priced £26. More stories >>>
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