Iron Shipbuilding on the Thames, 1832-1915

A study of iron shipbuilding on the Thames. A.J. Arnold examines the initial domination of the iron shipbuilding trade by Thames firms from the launch of the first iron vessel on the river in 1832 to the end of serious Thames-side shipbuilding in 1915. For the first time, the factors that caused the industry's demise are explored fully, together with an analysis of the effect it had on its locality. Extending series of data, the book includes information on annual shipbuilding tonnage and the number of vessels constructed, and further looks at tonnage built for foreign citizens, companies and navies, and for the British Admiralty. This broader and deeper statistical survey is supplemented with less systematic documentation such as memorabilia and business records to arrive at a picture of a once pre-eminent British industry.