Editing Simon Goodrich (section)

==Life==

He was said to have been born 28 October 1773 in [[Suffolk]]. His education and training is unknown. In 1796 he was appointed draughtsman in the office of Sir [[Samuel Bentham]], [[Inspector General of Naval Works]], and in 1799 was promoted to the post of Mechanist and Bentham's deputy. On the incorporation of the Naval Works Department with the Navy Board in 1808, he was given the title of Mechanist under the Civil Architect and Engineer.  The office was discontinued on 25 Dec. 1812 on the abolition of the office of   Civil Architect, when it was provided that Goodrich should have   preference over others of his profession whenever his services were   wanted.<ref>Order in council 28 Nov. 1812, TNA PC 2/194 pp. 67–70; ADM  7/819 pp. 293–4.</ref>

Goodrich was responsible to Bentham for the management of the installation of the machinery at the [[Portsmouth Block Mills]], and for the Metal Mills and millwright's shop at [[Portsmouth]]. He was also responsible for the mechanical engineering work at all the other Naval Dockyards, and travelled incessantly on Naval business.

As well as his main responsibilities over time he was involved in devising machinery for testing anchor chains; for investigating different firefighting apparatus used on shipboard; reporting on machinery for making rope and cordage, and on saw-milling apparatus; for making seagoing trials of steam vessels. He was also involved greatly in the day-to-day management of the manufacturing staff. He was in close contact with many of the important engineers of the time, including [[Richard Trevithick]], [[Matthew Murray]], [[Henry Maudslay]], Sir [[Marc Isambard Brunel]] and, particularly, [[Joshua Field (engineer)|Joshua Field]].