My father, Henry Lyth, who has died aged 90, was a chartered mechanical and marine engineer responsible for the development, specification and implementation of all mechanical engineering projects at Liverpool docks from 1968 to 1982. He was later involved in designing mechanical works for Manchester’s Centenary Bridge and Salford’s Lowry Bridge.
Henry was born in Irby, Wirral, and raised in Heswall and Irby, the son of Ethel (nee Parkin), a shopkeeper, and Henry, an engineer. After Dawpool primary and Calday Grange grammar schools, he worked as an apprentice engineer at Grayson, Rollo and Clover Docks (1948-53). At the same time he was studying for a higher national certificate in mechanical engineering at Birkenhead Technical College, qualifying as a first-class mechanical marine engineer in 1953 and joining the merchant navy the same year.
He remained for six years, rising to first mechanical engineer, before joining the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (now company) in Liverpool in 1953. He was also a fellow of both the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
Between 1968 and 1982, during what was a tumultuous time at the docks with declining trade and high rates of unemployment, he spearheaded the replacement of seven sets of dock gates – each gate weighing 500 tons – the renovation of locks and swing bridges across the docks, and development of a hydrostatic bearing on a series of dock gates. From 1970 to 1982 he was also a chair of the British Ports Association working groups on cranes and containerisation in ports. His role involved promoting best practice in technology, safety and efficiency relating to modernisation.
After Mersey Docks, in 1983 he joined Parkman Group, where he was involved in several major projects, including the Mersey pollution alleviation scheme, the Trafford Park Centenary Bridge and the Salford Lowry Bridge. He remained there until he retired in 1997.
A keen beekeeper, Henry also supported local community initiatives Scout Post and Wirral’s branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and did a weekly minibus run for young adults with disabilities at Heswall Orion Club for 30 years. He was also involved with Thurstaston parish church, where he carried out maintenance work and assisted at flower festivals. An avid Guardian reader for more than 60 years, Henry strove daily to complete the sudoku.
In 1961 he married Sheila (nee Couch). She died in 2017. Henry is survived by two children, Helen and me, four grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
