Robb, Andrew McCance, 1887-1968, Professor in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering : University of Glasgow, Scotland,

Andrew McCance Robb (1887-1968) was a graduate of Glasgow University who later became Professor of Naval Architecture, 1944 to 1957. He trained with Messrs G L Watson before receiving the Scholarship of the Institution of Naval Architecture to study at the University of Glasgow. He graduated BSc (1910), gaining the Kirk Memorial Prize, and DSc (1921). He was awarded an honorary LLD in 1958.

After receiving his BSc degree Robb worked as an assistant to Sir John Harvard Biles in the Department of Naval Architecture, 1912 to 1916. He served briefly in the army in Mesopotamia in 1916, then returned to Britain as an assistant in the Department of Deputy-Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding and as Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding from 1917 to 1919; he was also employed as a technical assistant by the shipbuilders Harland & Wolff. In 1920, Robb returned to the University as Biles' assistant. He established himself in business as a consulting naval architect from 1925 until his appointment to the University chair in 1944. He later became Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

The Royal Institution of Naval Architects awarded him with a Gold Medal, having been a member of its council and later its vice-president. He was also a councillor and president of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland and president of the Liverpool Engineering Society. He was also chairman of the Board of Management for Glasgow Northern Hospitals. He retired from the University of Glasgow in 1957 and died in Glasgow on 30th December 1968.

The collection contains documents relating to Professor Robb's assistance in the Board of Trade enquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Victoria, a British Railways motor vessel. It had been sailing from Stranraer to Larne on 31st January 1953. The accident resulted in the loss of 133 lives, including Maynard Sinclair (Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland) and Lt Col Sir Walter Smiles (MP for North Down). The inquiry was under The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 Mr J H Campbell, the Belfast Resident Magistrate, presided over this Ministry of Transport Court of Inquiry held at County Court House, Crumlin Road, Belfast. Professor Robb provided reports for the enquiry, including a story of the disaster based on the evidence he had read and answered a list of 48 questions.

From the guide to the Papers of Andrew McCance Robb, 1887-1968, Professor in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, University of Glasgow, Scotland, Nov 1951-Jun 1953, (Glasgow University Archive Services)