MESSRS ROBERT NAPIER AND SONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 140, 15 June 1877, Page 4

MESSRS ROBERT NAPIER AND SONS.

' The Times says the extensive marine .engineering works at Laocefield street and the shipbuilding yard at Govan, 'Glasgow, with all the buildings and fixed tools and machinery, belonging to 'Messrs Robert Napier and Sons, engineers and shipbuilders, add tha gooiwill of their business, were sold in the Faculty HaH, Glasgow. The upset price Was £250,000. The property was knocked down to Dr. Anderson Kirkwood for a client. The competition lay. between the purchaser and the Clyde Navigation Trustees, who desired to secure the ground for the extension of their works. The firm of Napier and Sons was established about fifty years ago by Mr Robert Napier, who had previously carried on business as a blacksmith in Glasgow. Mr Napier constructed his first marine engine in 1823, and in 1836 he built two ships for the East India Company. Hia first contract for her Majesty's Government was obtained in 1840, and sti much satisfaction did the flngitfes give that many; similar orders followed. 'Along with Sir Samuel Cunardj Mr; Napier projected the now celebrated Cunard line, and built its first ships, to : w*hich many have been since added from the game yard. Messrs Napier, add Sons constructed for the British navy the JErebus, Black Prince, Hector, Audacious, Invincible, Hotspur, and Northbsmpton, all armour clad vessels, representing a tonnage of 26,938 tone, find engines representing 5450. horse power. One turret ship was built for the Danish navy; three of 4000 tons each, with engines of 400 horse power, for the Turkish Government; and two of 3000 tons and 500 horse power, for the Dutch Government. In all 13 armour clad vessels have been launched from the yard of the Mesara Napier, representing a total tonnage of 43,940 tons, and engines of 8925 horsepower. The firm have, in addition, supplied engines to 52 vessels of her Majesty fa navy, and the 78 pairs of engines placed in them represent 10,589 nominal hor6e power. Foreign Governments have had 29 vessels engined by the firm, the engines- supplied representing in the aggregate 7925 horse power. The Messrs Napier were also extensively employed by private ship owners, and the vessels built by them are to be found in all quarters of tha globe.