Russell Allport

(James) Russell Allport (died 5 February 1914 in Suva, Fiji) was an Australian electrical engineer in Hobart, Tasmania.

After completing his education in this city he proceeded to Mount Cameron, at the north-eastern end of the Tasmanian island at the age of 17, and then obtained his first experience in engineering at the Longreach Dredging and Tin-Mining Co.

He continued there some time, and then went to England, and entered the company of Spagnoletti & Crookes as an apprentice, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the profession of engineer.

[1] Before returning to Tasmania, Russell Allport visited Germany, France, Italy and other places for the purpose of gaining experience in his profession, bringing back with him a knowledge that was to prove of great benefit to himself, and help in keeping Hobart at pace with the onward march of time.

His first order of any note was to instill the electric light on the S.S. Silver Crown, belonging to Messrs. O'May Bros.[2] He purchased subsequently 75 by 170 feet (23 m × 52 m) land in Melville Street, on which he erected a brick factory on the most modern lines.

He expanded his premises further comprising front offices and stores, a commodious machinery workshop and engine room, a carpenter's shop, brass and iron foundry, and smithy.

Russell Allport was agent for the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., a company having a world-wide reputation, and he has introduced much of their machinery into Tasmania.

Russell Allport has been engaged in executing intricate machinery for one of the largest companies in the colony, and it is extremely satisfactory to note that experts give it as their opinion that it is equal to imported.