Background
Mr. V. Fong Lam received his preliminary education in Canton, China.
Mr. V. Fong Lam received his preliminary education in Canton, China.
In 1909 he went to America to further his studies first in a preparatory school in Brooklyn, New York, and two years later in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Here he took up the special five years course in Naval Construction, a course similarly offered in the same Institute to the graduates of the Annapolis Naval Academy.
After his graduation from the Institute, Mr. Lam worked for three years in The New London Ship and Engine Co. and the New York Shipbuilding Co. in many minor positions in order to supplement the theoretical training with the practical experience he was then gaining. At the end of 1919 Mr. Lam returned to China. Prior to his return he realized that the time for the development of the shipbuilding industry in China had not arrived, where upon he organized the Lam, Glines and Co., Inc. Mr. Glines, who is Mr. Lam’s partner, is one of the executives of the well-known American engineering firm of Stone and Webster. Mr. Lam was also serving as director of the Eastern Hide and Leather Co.
The formation of the largest shipyard in the world, the Hog Island Shipyard, was in great measure due to the efforts of Mr. Glines. He was serving as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Secretary Hoover’s Far Eastern Commerce Committee. Although Lam, Glines and Co., Inc. was engaged as contractor, architect, and trader the object to which Mr. Lam was ultimately directed his Company’s efforts. Mr. Lam had under him a staff of young Chinese engineers who are graduated of American Colleges and who had no doubt live up to what was expected of them.
