Rowhedge Ironworks Co
From Graces Guide
Rowhedge Ironworks was based on the river Colne at Wivenhoe near Colchester
- Harris Brothers boat yard located on the River Colne at Rowhedge, Essex. Established by Peter Thomas Harris 1865, later run by his sons Enos and John Thomas Harris. Yard taken over by Rowhedge Ironworks circa 1915.
- The yard was established in 1904 by three former employees of Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson. They specialised in small tugs, barges, launches, sternwheelers and other small craft.
- WWII The yard built four standard coasters, three "VIC" type CLyde puffers, two torpedo recovery craft and tow coastal tankers.
- 1946 The Hotspur IV was built by Rowhedge Ironworks for use on the Hythe Ferry.
- 1950s In the post war years the yard specialised in building "flat pack" ships for re-erection overseas.
- The yard was closed in 1964.
Sources of Information
British Shipbuilding Yards. 3 vols by Norman L. Middlemiss