Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co
Thames Ironworks of Blackwall was an established shipbuilder in the southeast of London.
Shipbuilders
1835 Thames Bank Ironworks at Blackwall was established in 1835 by Thomas Joseph Ditchburn and Charles John Mare as Ditchburn and Mare for shipbuilding and civil engineering. This site had been used for shipbuilding for many centuries.
1857 The firm was taken over by Mare's father-in-law, Peter Rolt, and renamed Thames Iron Works and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
1860s Previously owned by C. J. Mare and Co, Thames Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. completed the design of the first pair of ironclad battleships. Built the first ironclad battleship Warrior
1866 Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co failed.
1868 Three five-masted ironclads were completed in 1868.
1880s During the 1880s more battleships were made.
1897. Site is 28 acres and they employ 3,000-4,000 workmen
1898 Disaster at the launch of the 'Albion' when 34 persons were killed. F. A. Hills is the top man. [1]
1900s The company went on to build a number of coasters, tugs, riverboats and lighters
1912 It closed.
Buses
1905 The first bus chassis was built.
1906 Produced a six-cylinder engine for buses. Also produced a four cylinder engine of 24/30 hp.
In 1910 they were concentrating on 40 hp coaches.
1913 A semi-forward-control double-decker was constructed which resembled a stagecoach without the horse. One of these is exhibited in the National Motor Museum.
May have built a few railway locomotives.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Times, Thursday, Jun 23, 1898
- British Steam Locomotive Builders by James W. Lowe. Published in 1975. ISBN 0-905100-816
- Buses and Trolleybuses before 1919 by David Kaye. Published 1972
- Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
- British Shipbuilding Yards. 3 vols by Norman L. Middlemiss