Napier, Robert, & Sons
Other Business Names:
- Parkhead Forge
- Napier, David
- Camlachie Iron Works
- Elder, David
- Vulcan Foundry
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Glasgow, City of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, Scotland
Sectors:
-
Extraction
Coal extraction
-
Basic metals production
Iron, steel & related alloys production
-
Transport equipment production
Marine engines & other marine equipment production
-
Transport equipment production
Shipbuilding & repairing exc small craft
Notes:
Robert Napier, 1791-1876, was a leading Scottish mechanical engineer and cousin of David Napier, 1790-1869. Set up as a smith in 1815 and soon making marine engines. In 1821 took over the Camlachie Works of his relative, David Napier. Established a successful marine steam engine business and in late 1820s acquired Vulcan Foundry which he rebuilt. David Elder, his works manager, made an important contribution to the business through inventive activity. Supplied engines to prestigious customers such as the Admiralty and East India Co. Started shipbuilding at Govan in 1842. and in 1850s and 60s built engines and liners for Cunard Steamship Co in which he had invested. Also owned collieries and ironworks including Parkead Forge. Built a country house at West Shandon. In 1852 the business was renamed Robert Napier & Sons. From 1850s in relative decline
Publications:
- Beardmore. The history of a Scottish industrial giant by Hume, John R, & Michael Moss
- Day at the Clyde Steam Boat Works by Unknown
- Developments of the steam hammer in Scotland by Wood, J L
- Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon by Napier, James
- Memoir of the late David Napier, engineer by Napier, James
- 'Messrs Robert Napier & Sons, iron ship builders and engineers' in G Measom, Official Illustrated Guide to North Eastern; North British; Edinburgh & Glasgow; Scottish Central; Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee; Scottish North Eastern; and Great North of Scotland Railways by Measom, George
- 'Overshadowed. The case of David Elder' in D Smith (ed), Perceptions of Great Engineers 1 by Wood, James L
- Robert Napier, Entrepreneur and Contractor to the Admiralty by Kennison, G J
- 'Shipbuilding' in D Bremner, Industries of Scotland. Their rise, progress and present condition by Bremner, David
- Warship Building on the Clyde. Naval orders and the prosperity of the Clyde shipbuilding industry, 1889-1939 by Peebles, Hugh B
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Parkhead Forge
- Napier, David
- Camlachie Iron Works
- Elder, David
- Vulcan Foundry
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Glasgow, City of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, Scotland
Sectors:
- Extraction Coal extraction
- Basic metals production Iron, steel & related alloys production
- Transport equipment production Marine engines & other marine equipment production
- Transport equipment production Shipbuilding & repairing exc small craft
Notes:
Robert Napier, 1791-1876, was a leading Scottish mechanical engineer and cousin of David Napier, 1790-1869. Set up as a smith in 1815 and soon making marine engines. In 1821 took over the Camlachie Works of his relative, David Napier. Established a successful marine steam engine business and in late 1820s acquired Vulcan Foundry which he rebuilt. David Elder, his works manager, made an important contribution to the business through inventive activity. Supplied engines to prestigious customers such as the Admiralty and East India Co. Started shipbuilding at Govan in 1842. and in 1850s and 60s built engines and liners for Cunard Steamship Co in which he had invested. Also owned collieries and ironworks including Parkead Forge. Built a country house at West Shandon. In 1852 the business was renamed Robert Napier & Sons. From 1850s in relative declinePublications:
- Beardmore. The history of a Scottish industrial giant by Hume, John R, & Michael Moss
- Day at the Clyde Steam Boat Works by Unknown
- Developments of the steam hammer in Scotland by Wood, J L
- Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon by Napier, James
- Memoir of the late David Napier, engineer by Napier, James
- 'Messrs Robert Napier & Sons, iron ship builders and engineers' in G Measom, Official Illustrated Guide to North Eastern; North British; Edinburgh & Glasgow; Scottish Central; Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee; Scottish North Eastern; and Great North of Scotland Railways by Measom, George
- 'Overshadowed. The case of David Elder' in D Smith (ed), Perceptions of Great Engineers 1 by Wood, James L
- Robert Napier, Entrepreneur and Contractor to the Admiralty by Kennison, G J
- 'Shipbuilding' in D Bremner, Industries of Scotland. Their rise, progress and present condition by Bremner, David
- Warship Building on the Clyde. Naval orders and the prosperity of the Clyde shipbuilding industry, 1889-1939 by Peebles, Hugh B