Cyrus John Richard Williams was born at Blues Point, Kirribilli, Sydney, on 19 September 1862, second son, and third child, to William and Annie Williams. William had come from India as a younger man, and Annie was one of the second generation of a large Hunter Valley family born in Australia.
His brother Harold Washington, was born 10 August 1859, and his sister Lucy was two years older, born 3 September 1857.
When Cyrus was 3, his mother died, and his grandparents, and various aunts and uncles, were called on to provide a secure extended family environment.
At the time, the Kirribilli area of Sydney was still only lightly populated and young lads were free to roam far and wide. Cyrus was keen on sailing and once the family moved to a large house on the shores on Careening Cove (shortly after his mother died) and his father had built a rowing skiff fitted with a sail, the whole of Sydney Harbour could be explored.
Cyrus started his formal schooling at a small private school at Milsom’s Point, and as he showed some aptitude for drawing he was sent for an hour twice a week to learn drawing at the Fort Street Public School, somewhere above Dawes Point.
In January 1874 Cyrus began his secondary schooling at Sydney Grammar, where he was an able but not outstanding pupil.
At the beginning of 1877 Cyrus was sent to live with an aunt at Yass “to get the benefit of inland air.” For the next 18 months he attended Yass Grammar School, again as a day boy. By the middle of 1878 his father, step-mother and their children had settled in Brisbane, and Cyrus transferred to the fifth form at Brisbane Grammar School.
Cyrus finished his formal schooling at the end of 1879, and in January 1880 began work, for the first 6 months on an unpaid basis, with the Harbours and Rivers Department of the government of Queensland. He remained in their employ, learning a wide range of engineering skills, draughtsmanship, and surveying techniques on the job. His work involved much surveying of the Brisbane River, dredge designing and building, general harbours and rivers works, and a two year stint in Townsville, during which he was also responsible for harbours as far north as Thursday Island. He remained with Harbours and Rivers, achieving steady promotions, until there was a major economic downturn in 1893, when Cyrus and others were laid off.
In 1888 Cyrus married Ada Mary Dickson, 3rd daughter of James Dickson, who had a long political career in Queensland (including a period as Premier), and was knighted for his work in support of Federation[1]. Cyrus and Ada Mary had two daughters Lucy, (born in 1889), and Nancy (born in 1896), and they lived on a property given to them by Sir James, close by his own impressive home “Toorak”.
After 18 months in private practice, Cyrus became a civil servant once again, being taken on as Inspector of Works & Acting Assistant Engineer, Water Supply Department, in August 1895. For the next 7 years his work took him all over northern Queensland.
Sailing, yacht building and design continued to be a passion and generated some private income also.
By 1902 it had become clear that the civil service was once again to be “downsized” and Cyrus and Ada Mary decided to sell up and find work elsewhere. By the end of the year Cyrus had visited New Zealand, been interviewed for, and appointed to, the position of Engineer, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Christchurch.
The family arrived in Christchurch in January 1903, and Cyrus took up his new work the following day. He remained with the Harbour Board until 1927, during that time also taking on the appointments of Secretary to the Board, and Treasurer.
During this 25 year period Cyrus oversaw considerable port expansion at Lyttelton, with a major reclamation being developed, and new dredging plant specified and ordered, along with tugs and other harbour development works.
Cyrus’s contract with the Harbour Board entitled him to undertake private commissions, of which he carried out many throughout New Zealand. One of the most significant was the design, oversight and construction of the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere at Tolaga Bay, East Coast (north of Gisborne).
Cyrus was also active in many civil and community roles in Christchurch, ranging from the Patriotic Funds Board (which raised funds for WW1 soldiers and their dependents) to the Red Cross Society. His early aptitude for drawing fuelled an interest in fine arts, and he was deeply involved in the Canterbury Society of Arts until his death. Cyrus was also a sociable person, and he joined the Canterbury Club immediately after arriving in Christchurch and remained a member for the rest of his life, meeting friends regularly for bridge and snooker.
His passion for yacht design and construction continued, particularly after his daughter Nancy produced 3 grandsons who were taught to sail by their grandfather. The Cyrus Williams Trophy Cup is still contested each year by the yachting fraternity in Christchurch.
In 1930, Cyrus and Ada Mary made an extended voyage to Europe with their daughter Lucy, purchasing a car to tour around the UK and on the Continent.
On returning to NZ Cyrus continued with many of his leisure interests and “good works”. He also wrote an extensive journal of his early years in Australia, and professional and personal activities after arrival in NZ. These were later typed up, and copies given to each of his grandsons. His great grandson, David Cuthbert has now captured these documents electronically so they can be made readily available.
Cyrus died in December 1942, having lived 80 active and fulfilling years. His names continue, with male descendants over three generations called John, or Richard, or David or Robert.
[1] Sir James’ first wife died in 1880, and 2 years later he married Mary McKinlay, Headmistress of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, which all the Dickson girls attended.
His brother Harold Washington, was born 10 August 1859, and his sister Lucy was two years older, born 3 September 1857.
When Cyrus was 3, his mother died, and his grandparents, and various aunts and uncles, were called on to provide a secure extended family environment.
At the time, the Kirribilli area of Sydney was still only lightly populated and young lads were free to roam far and wide. Cyrus was keen on sailing and once the family moved to a large house on the shores on Careening Cove (shortly after his mother died) and his father had built a rowing skiff fitted with a sail, the whole of Sydney Harbour could be explored.
Cyrus started his formal schooling at a small private school at Milsom’s Point, and as he showed some aptitude for drawing he was sent for an hour twice a week to learn drawing at the Fort Street Public School, somewhere above Dawes Point.
In January 1874 Cyrus began his secondary schooling at Sydney Grammar, where he was an able but not outstanding pupil.
At the beginning of 1877 Cyrus was sent to live with an aunt at Yass “to get the benefit of inland air.” For the next 18 months he attended Yass Grammar School, again as a day boy. By the middle of 1878 his father, step-mother and their children had settled in Brisbane, and Cyrus transferred to the fifth form at Brisbane Grammar School.
Cyrus finished his formal schooling at the end of 1879, and in January 1880 began work, for the first 6 months on an unpaid basis, with the Harbours and Rivers Department of the government of Queensland. He remained in their employ, learning a wide range of engineering skills, draughtsmanship, and surveying techniques on the job. His work involved much surveying of the Brisbane River, dredge designing and building, general harbours and rivers works, and a two year stint in Townsville, during which he was also responsible for harbours as far north as Thursday Island. He remained with Harbours and Rivers, achieving steady promotions, until there was a major economic downturn in 1893, when Cyrus and others were laid off.
In 1888 Cyrus married Ada Mary Dickson, 3rd daughter of James Dickson, who had a long political career in Queensland (including a period as Premier), and was knighted for his work in support of Federation[1]. Cyrus and Ada Mary had two daughters Lucy, (born in 1889), and Nancy (born in 1896), and they lived on a property given to them by Sir James, close by his own impressive home “Toorak”.
After 18 months in private practice, Cyrus became a civil servant once again, being taken on as Inspector of Works & Acting Assistant Engineer, Water Supply Department, in August 1895. For the next 7 years his work took him all over northern Queensland.
Sailing, yacht building and design continued to be a passion and generated some private income also.
By 1902 it had become clear that the civil service was once again to be “downsized” and Cyrus and Ada Mary decided to sell up and find work elsewhere. By the end of the year Cyrus had visited New Zealand, been interviewed for, and appointed to, the position of Engineer, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Christchurch.
The family arrived in Christchurch in January 1903, and Cyrus took up his new work the following day. He remained with the Harbour Board until 1927, during that time also taking on the appointments of Secretary to the Board, and Treasurer.
During this 25 year period Cyrus oversaw considerable port expansion at Lyttelton, with a major reclamation being developed, and new dredging plant specified and ordered, along with tugs and other harbour development works.
Cyrus’s contract with the Harbour Board entitled him to undertake private commissions, of which he carried out many throughout New Zealand. One of the most significant was the design, oversight and construction of the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere at Tolaga Bay, East Coast (north of Gisborne).
Cyrus was also active in many civil and community roles in Christchurch, ranging from the Patriotic Funds Board (which raised funds for WW1 soldiers and their dependents) to the Red Cross Society. His early aptitude for drawing fuelled an interest in fine arts, and he was deeply involved in the Canterbury Society of Arts until his death. Cyrus was also a sociable person, and he joined the Canterbury Club immediately after arriving in Christchurch and remained a member for the rest of his life, meeting friends regularly for bridge and snooker.
His passion for yacht design and construction continued, particularly after his daughter Nancy produced 3 grandsons who were taught to sail by their grandfather. The Cyrus Williams Trophy Cup is still contested each year by the yachting fraternity in Christchurch.
In 1930, Cyrus and Ada Mary made an extended voyage to Europe with their daughter Lucy, purchasing a car to tour around the UK and on the Continent.
On returning to NZ Cyrus continued with many of his leisure interests and “good works”. He also wrote an extensive journal of his early years in Australia, and professional and personal activities after arrival in NZ. These were later typed up, and copies given to each of his grandsons. His great grandson, David Cuthbert has now captured these documents electronically so they can be made readily available.
Cyrus died in December 1942, having lived 80 active and fulfilling years. His names continue, with male descendants over three generations called John, or Richard, or David or Robert.
[1] Sir James’ first wife died in 1880, and 2 years later he married Mary McKinlay, Headmistress of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, which all the Dickson girls attended.