He held the position of professor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, until his death 25 years later.

He also served as an advisor to several Japanese shipyards, including Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Osaka Iron Works.

His hobbies included boating and photography, and his large collection of photographs is preserved at the Tokyo University library.

He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Meiji in 1905 for his contribution to higher education in engineering in Japan.

During a winter stay at Atami hot springs resort in 1907, West caught pneumonia and died shortly after in the University of Tokyo Hospital on 10 January 1908.