University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering

Alumnus Speaks at CE Monument Ceremony

5/14/2010

Establishment of landmark a joint initiative of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers and the Civil Engineers of Spain.

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Yeh Center
Yeh Center
Left to right: Fernando Moreu, Spanish Civil Engineering Association U.S. Representative; Stan Cummings, Executive Director of Northwest Maritime Center; Herb Weissblum, Director of  Northwest Maritime Center; Kevin Van de Wege, Washington State Representative; Blaine Leonard, ASCE President; Christine Gregoire, Washington State Governor; Ron Bard, ASCE Seattle Section President; Dave Gilbert, Member, ASCE National and Seattle History and Heritage Committees.

Fernando Moreu (MS 05), a structural engineer at ESCA Consultants Inc. in Urbana and a CEE Ph.D. student, represented the civil engineers of Spain in April at a ceremony in Port Townsend, Wash., at which an international historic civil engineering monument was unveiled. The plaque commemorates the mapping of the West Coast by British Royal Navy Captain George Vancouver more than 200 years ago.  The establishment of the landmark was a joint initiative of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers and the Civil Engineers of Spain.

Vancouver worked closely with Captain Bodega y Quadra from the Spanish Navy in charting the territory and creating maps that were used for 100 years. The monument celebrates the friendship and collaboration of these two men and promotes international cooperation between civil engineers to solve problems that help people from all countries and flags.

Above: The monument, installed at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, Wash.
Below: Moreu shakes hands with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire.

“Those were difficult times, with close disputes between two empires, in search for sea and land shipping routes,” said Moreu, who spoke at the event. “Scientists and explorers, both English and Spanish, strived to be the first to map out the American territories. In that scenario, friendship and cooperation arose between the people who shared the same professional challenges.

“Although they belonged to different naval forces, it did not stop Captain Vancouver and Captain Bodega y Quadra from sharing information. They helped each other and became friends. Captain Vancouver and Captain Bodega y Quadra did not share the same flag, but they did share a profession.

“Vancouver’s legacy goes beyond his map work. The proposal and granting of this Landmark have meant the strengthening of relations between three national civil engineering associations whose ultimate aim is to serve society, an aim that creates ties that go way beyond boundaries and flag colors.”

Distinguished guests at the event included Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, Port Townsend Mayor Michele Sandoval, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) President Blaine Leonard, and retired mining engineer Dave Gilbert, who spearheaded the effort to recognize this historic engineering collaboration. Gilbert is active in ASCE’s national and Seattle History and Heritage committees. 

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This story was published May 14, 2010.