Robert Napier and Sons

[1] After Robert Napier's death in 1876 the plant and goodwill were sold by auction in March 1877 and purchased by a group of engineers led by the previous manager, A C Kirk.

[1] Aged 23, Robert Napier set himself up in his own smith business[nb 1] in Glasgow's Greyfriars Wynd[2] Gallowgate in 1815.

Contracts were won for the supply of engines to a steamer called Eclipse in 1826 and four years later for the vessels of the Glasgow Steam Packet Company.

[2] In 1828 Robert Napier expanded his operations to the nearby Vulcan Foundry re-equipping it, two years later handing over Camlachie to one of his brothers.

Eight years later he leased (then in 1841 he bought) his cousin David Napier's Lancefield Quay Foundry and Docks on the north side of the Clyde.

[3] From 1842 Robert Napier and Son built at a new yard across the Clyde at Govan their own iron-hulled vessels, river-steamers at first, instead of contracting out for the supply of wooden hulls.

In 1871 there was a forced sale of Parkhead Forge and then Robert Napier was persuaded to enter full retirement and the brothers were able to achieve financial stability.

[4] After Robert Napier's death new partners led by marine engineer Dr Kirk[nb 2] the previous manager, built for George Thompson's Aberdeen White Star Line the single screw iron SS Aberdeen with a three crank triple expansion engine and delivered in 1881.