Richards (Shipbuilders)

Richards Shipbuilders Ltd. has a convoluted history. The precursor to the yard was started by Samuel Richards in 1876. The company was based in a boatyard on the South side of the inner harbour at Lowestoft and it began its career by building wooden drifters. Richards died in 1919 and by this time over two hundred wooden drifters had been built.

Richards sons took over the running of the yard and the company conitnued making drifters and deep sea trawlers along with paddle steamers.

Shipbuilding

• 1920s - After making a series of motor trawlers and their first motor drifter, the yard closed for four years from 1926-30.
• 1930s - th eyard was bought up by W. F. Cockerell of the East Anglian Ice and Cold Storage Col Ltd and he renamed the business as Richards Ironworks Ltd. The yard restarted shipbuilding again in 1935, making motor trawlers and then barges and a lightship. the yard also conitnued shiprepairing.
• World War II - The yard escaped any serious bombing and managed to to complete 85 small ships and repaired hundreds of other craft. In addition, the yard made motor minesweepers and 24 motor fishing vessels and a torpedo recovery ship for the Admiralty. There were also a further wight standard coasters and six "VIC" type Clyde puffers made for the Admiralty during this time.
• 1950s -