a Continuum of engineering excellence from Scotland

The Lady is an Engineer

Few engineers have appeared in comic strips. From "The Lady is an Engineer" in "True Comics" February 1943

Victoria Alexandrina Drummond

1894 – 1978

Victoria Alexandrina Drummond

marine engineer, pioneering woman engineering role model

Engineering Achievements

She was the first woman to go to Sea as a Marine Engineer and first woman to become a Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers now the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.

Coming from an aristocratic background, her choice of career was treated with amazement by her family, but, having made her decision, she was encouraged by her parents.

In 1916 she commenced a five year Engineering apprenticeship, two years at a Perth Garage and three years at the Engineering Department of the Caledon Shipbuilding Company in Dundee. She studied Engineering three evenings a week at the Dundee Technical College now Abertay University.

In 1922 as a fully qualified engineer she sailed as tenth engineer on a Blue Funnel Line ship on a voyage to Australia. Through the years she rose to Chief Engineer sailing worldwide. She also for a time stood by several ships in build and in today's terms could be called a Superintendent Engineer. Although she served with the Blue Funnel Line, British India, Cunard-White Star and Cunard most of her sea time was spent with foreign Shipping Lines due to discrimination from British Shipping Lines and the Board of Trade now the Marine and Coastguard Agency who steadfastly refused to certificate her. Undeterred she received her Chief Engineers certification abroad.

During WW11 her vessel was attacked by aircraft of the Luftwaffe. At the start of the attack she ordered everyone else out of the engine room and operated the machinery single handed and increased the ships speed by several knots thus allowing greater manoeuvrability of the ship to avoid the bombs. For this action she was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) the citation reading 'For devotion to duty' with the investiture by King George VI. She was also awarded Lloyds war medal for bravery at sea.

She eventually retired in 1962 after forty years at sea.

Her Life

  1. 1894 Born on 14 October in Megginch Castle, Perthshire, Scotland
  2. 1913 Age: 18 Presented at the Court of King George V and Queen Mary as a debutante, in February
  3. 1916 Age: 19 Commenced a five year Engineering apprenticeship, beginning with two years at a Perth Garage.
  4. 1918 Age: 21 Continued her apprenticeship at Lilybank Foundry, part of the Caledon Shipyard, Dundee and studied Engineering three evenings a week at the Dundee Technical College, now Abertay University
  5. 1922 Age: 25 As a fully qualified engineer she sailed as tenth engineer on SS Anchises, a Blue Funnel Line ship, on a voyage to Australia. Through the years she rose to Chief Engineer sailing worldwide. She also for a time stood by several ships in build and in today's terms could be called a Superintendent Engineer. Although she served with the Blue Funnel Line, British India, Cunard-White Star and Cunard most of her sea time was spent with foreign Shipping Lines due to discrimination from British Shipping Lines and the Board of Trade now the Marine and Coastguard Agency who steadfastly refused to certificate her. Undeterred she received her Chief Engineers certification abroad.
  6. 1939 -45 During WW2 her vessel was attacked by aircraft of the Luftwaffe. At the start of the attack she ordered everyone else out of the engine room and operated the machinery single handed and increased the ships speed by several knots thus allowing greater manoeuvrability of the ship to avoid the bombs. For this action she was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) the citation reading 'For devotion to duty' with the investiture by King George VI. She was also awarded Lloyds war medal for bravery at sea.
  7. 1962 Victoria retired after forty years at sea
  8. 1978 Age: 84 Died on 25 December in London and is buried alongisde her sisters in the grounds of Megginch Castle

Legacy

Victoria Drummond opened doors for other women to follow and is still cited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology together with various women's organisations as a role model to be followed.

The Victoria Drummond Award, set up by Nautilus (seafarers union) is presented to women whose achievements boost the profile of women at sea.

Victoria Drummond was shortlisted for the Wallace Monument "Hall of Heroines".

More Information

"The Remarkable Life of Victoria Drummond: Marine Engineer" (1994) Cherry Drummond. Institute of Marine Engineers.

YouTube short: The Story Behind Victoria Drummond The History Girls. 2018

There is a plaque to Victoria Drummond at Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee. Part of "Dundee Women's Trail".

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