John Bourne and Co
of Mark Lane, London, Ship Builders.
There seems to have been an earlier company of the same name, of Glasgow and Greenock
1870 John Bourne and Co, 66 Mark-lane, London EC, engineers, shipbuilders and contractors[1]
1871 Partnership changed. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, John Bourne, William Henry Northcott, and Edwin Eagling Glaskin, carrying on business at No. 66, Mark-lane, in the city of London, as Engineers, Ship Builders, and Contractors, under the style or firm of John Bourne and Co., was dissolved on the 1st day of July, 1871, so far as regards the said Edwin Eagling Glaskin; and that all accounts owing to and by the said firm will be received and paid by the said John Bourne and William Henry Northcott, who will continue to carry on the business under the same firm...'[2]
1873 Partnership changed. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, John Bourne and William Henry Northcott, as Engineers, Shipbuilders, and Contractors, carrying on business at No. 66, Mark-lane, in the city of London, under the firm of John Bourne and Co., has been this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that all debts due to and owing by the said late partnership are to be respectively received.and paid by the said John Bourne, who will continue to carry on the said business on his separate account...'[3]
1875 Sent John Rennie, naval architect, and others to China to advise on the naval arsenal and other departments