Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company

British shipbuilding company (1852–1933)

Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company
The launch of HMS Queen Mary beneath the distinctive gantry cranes of Palmers' yard
Company typePublic
IndustryShipbuilding
Founded1852
FateCollapsed 1933
SuccessorArmstrong Whitworth
HeadquartersJarrow, UK

Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company Limited, often referred to simply as "Palmers", was a British shipbuilding company. The company was based in Jarrow, County Durham, in north-eastern England, and had operations in Hebburn and Willington Quay on the River Tyne.

History

Early history and growth

A Reed water tube boiler built by Palmers, as used in their torpedo boat destroyers
A triple expansion steam engine built in Palmers' engine works, as used in their torpedo boat destroyers

The company was established in 1852 by Charles Mark Palmer as Palmer Brothers & Co. in Jarrow.[1] Later that year it launched the John Bowes, the first iron screw collier.[1][2] By 1900, the business was known as Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company.[3][Fn 1] At that time, besides building ships, it manufactured and processed its own steel and other metals, and its products included Reed water tube boilers and marine steam engines.[6][Fn 2]

By 1902, Palmers' base at Jarrow occupied about 100 acres (41 hectares) and included 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometres) of the southern bank of the River Tyne, and employed about 10,000 men and boys.[8] In 1910, Sir Charles Palmer's interest in the business was acquired by Lord Furness who, as Chairman, expanded the business by acquiring a lease over a new graving dock at Hebburn from Robert Stephenson and Company.[9] In 1919, Palmers laid down the SS Gairsoppa, which was sunk by a German U-boat in 1941, causing the loss of 84 lives and 200 long tons (203 tonnes) of silver.[10][11]

Depression and collapse

The Great Depression began in 1929, all but destroying the shipbuilding industry, which did not rebound until the Second World War. In 1931, Palmers posted a loss of £88,867, equivalent to £7,627,000 in 2023. The company received a moratorium from its creditors in order to extend repayment. In January 1933, the majority of the company's unsecured creditors met in London and agreed to extend the moratorium a further six months.[12]

Palmers was unable to survive and collapsed by the end of 1933. The company's blast furnaces and steel works—which covered 37 acres—were put up for auction.[13] The Jarrow yard was sold to National Shipbuilders Securities, which closed it down in order to sell it, causing much unemployment and leading to the Jarrow March.[14] After the shipyard closed, following support from the industrialist, Sir John Jarvis, the site was used the engine shop as a steel foundry for another 18 months.[15]

The company retained the yard at Hebburn and was acquired by Armstrong Whitworth, becoming Palmers Hebburn Company.[16] In 1973, Vickers-Armstrongs, successor to Armstrong Whitworth, sold the Palmers Dock at Hebburn to Swan Hunter and developed it as the Hebburn Shipbuilding Dock.[17] This facility was acquired from the receivers of Swan Hunter by Tyne Tees Dockyard in 1994. They sold it to Cammell Laird in 1995. When Cammell Laird entered receivership in 2001, the dock was acquired by A&P Group.[18][19] The yard remains in use as a ship repair and refurbishment facility.[20]

Ships built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (March 2013)

Ships built by Palmers included:

Naval

Battlecruisers

  • HMS Queen Mary White Ensign Royal Navy (1912)

Battleships

HMS Defence, a battleship of 1861, as she looked after 1866
Battleship HMS Defence of 1861, as she appeared from 1866
refer to caption
Battleship HMS Resolution of 1915, as seen in the 1930s
  • HMS Defence White Ensign Royal Navy (1861)
  • HMS Hercules White Ensign Royal Navy (1910)
  • HMS Lord Nelson White Ensign Royal Navy (1906)
  • HMS Resolution White Ensign Royal Navy (1892)
  • HMS Resolution White Ensign Royal Navy (1915)
  • HMS Revenge White Ensign Royal Navy (1892)
  • HMS Russell White Ensign Royal Navy (1901)
  • HMS Swiftsure White Ensign Royal Navy (1870)
  • HMS Terror White Ensign Royal Navy (1856)
  • HMS Triumph White Ensign Royal Navy (1870)

Cruisers

the cruiser HMS Orlando of 1886
Cruiser HMS Orlando of 1886, as seen in the 1890s
  • HMS Alacrity White Ensign Royal Navy (1885)
  • HMS Dauntless White Ensign Royal Navy (1918)
  • HMS Orlando White Ensign Royal Navy (1886)
  • HMS Pegasus White Ensign Royal Navy (1897)
  • HMS Pique White Ensign Royal Navy (1890)
  • HMS Pyramus White Ensign Royal Navy (1897)
  • HMCS Rainbow White Ensign Royal Canadian Navy (1891)
  • HMS Retribution White Ensign Royal Navy (1891)
  • HMS Surprise White Ensign Royal Navy (1885)
  • HMS Undaunted White Ensign Royal Navy (1886)
  • HMS York White Ensign Royal Navy (1928)

Destroyers

HMS Spiteful, launched in 1899: it became the first warship to be powered only using fuel oil in 1904.
Torpedo boat destroyer HMS Spiteful, built by Palmers and launched in 1899, became the first warship to be powered only using fuel oil in 1904.
HMS Diana in 1933
Destroyer HMS Diana of 1932, as seen in 1933
  • HMS Bat White Ensign Royal Navy (1896)
  • HMS Chamois White Ensign Royal Navy (1896)
  • HMS Cherwell White Ensign Royal Navy (1903)
  • HMS Crane White Ensign Royal Navy (1896)
  • HMS Dee White Ensign Royal Navy (1903)
  • HMS Diana White Ensign Royal Navy (1932)
  • HMS Duchess White Ensign Royal Navy (1932)
  • HMS Erne White Ensign Royal Navy (1903)
  • HMS Exe White Ensign Royal Navy (1903)
  • HMS Ettrick White Ensign Royal Navy (1903)
  • HMS Fawn White Ensign Royal Navy (1897)
  • HMS Flirt White Ensign Royal Navy (1897)
  • HMS Flying Fish White Ensign Royal Navy (1897)
  • HMS Janus White Ensign Royal Navy (1895)
  • HMS Kangaroo White Ensign Royal Navy (1900)
  • HMS Lightning White Ensign Royal Navy (1895)
  • HMCS Margaree White Ensign Royal Canadian Navy (1932)
  • HMS Myrmidon White Ensign Royal Navy (1900)
  • HMS Peterel White Ensign Royal Navy (1899)
  • HMS Porcupine White Ensign Royal Navy (1895)
  • HMS Rother White Ensign Royal Navy (1904)
  • HMS Spiteful White Ensign Royal Navy (1899)
  • HMS Star White Ensign Royal Navy (1896)
  • HMS Swale White Ensign Royal Navy (1905)
  • HMS Syren White Ensign Royal Navy (1900)
  • HMS Ure White Ensign Royal Navy (1904)
  • HMS Wear White Ensign Royal Navy (1905)
  • HMS Whiting White Ensign Royal Navy (1896)
  • HMS Wryneck White Ensign Royal Navy (1918)

Monitors

HMS Marshal Ney in 1915
Monitor HMS Marshal Ney in 1915
  • HMVS Cerberus Victorian Navy (1868)
  • HMS General Wolfe White Ensign Royal Navy (1915)
  • HMS Gorgon White Ensign Royal Navy (1871)
  • HMS Marshal Ney White Ensign Royal Navy (1915)
  • HMS Marshal Soult White Ensign Royal Navy (1915)

River gunboats

river gunboat HMS Spey of 1876
River gunboat HMS Spey of 1876
  • HMS Dee White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)
  • HMS Don White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)
  • HMS Esk White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)
  • HMS Medina White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • HMS Medway White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • SMS Planet Austro-Hungarian Navy (1889)
  • HMS Sabrina White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • HMS Slaney White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)
  • HMS Spey White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • HMS Tay White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • HMS Tees White Ensign Royal Navy (1876)
  • HMS Trent White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)
  • HMS Tweed White Ensign Royal Navy (1877)

Merchant and leisure

SS John Bowes of 1852
SS John Bowes of 1852, the first iron screw collier
SS Meriones of 1922
SS Meriones of 1922

Cable ships

Cargo ships

  • Anne Thomas Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1882)
  • Anthony Radcliffe Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1893)
  • Automedon Red Ensign Alfred Holt and Company (1922)
  • Clarrisa Radcliffe Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1889)
  • Douglas Hill Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1890)
  • Gairsoppa Red Ensign British-India Steam Navigation Company (1919)
  • Gwenllian Thomas Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1882)
  • Iolo Morganwg Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1882)
  • John Bowes Red Ensign Charles Palmer (1852)[21]
  • Kate Thomas Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1884)
  • Lady Palmer Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1889)
  • Mary Thomas Red Ensign Evan Thomas Radcliffe (1889)
  • Meriones Red Ensign China Mutual Steam Navigation Company (1922)
  • Slavic Prince (Prince Line Ltd, Newcastle) (1918)

Oil tankers

  • British Ardour Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1928)
  • British Aviator Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1924)
  • British Captain Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1923)
  • British Chemist Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1925)
  • British Chivalry Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1929)
  • British Corporal Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Freedom Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1928)
  • British General Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Honour Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1928)
  • British Industry Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1927)
  • British Inventor Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1926)[22]
  • British Justice Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1928)
  • British Light Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1917)
  • British Loyalty Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1928)
  • British Mariner Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Officer Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Premier Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Science Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1931)
  • British Sergeant Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1922)
  • British Splendour Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1931)
  • British Strength Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1931)
  • British Yeoman Red Ensign British Tanker Company (1923)

Passenger ships

  • SS Connaught (1860)
  • SS Armenia (1896)
  • SS Nevada (1868)[23]

Steam yachts

Tugs

  • PT Northumberland Red Ensign G. Wascoe, Shields, 1852 Yard number 1[24][25]

Cargo vessels

See also

Notes

Explanatory footnotes

  1. ^ Some 19th-century and later sources refer to the company as "Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company", with an apostrophe, but in Some Account of the Works of Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company Limited, which was compiled by the business's company secretary Malcom Dillon and published in 1900, the name is given throughout as "Palmers ...", without the apostrophe.[4][5][3]
  2. ^ "A speciality of [Palmers' engine works] is the manufacture of the 'Reed' water-tube boiler, the invention of Mr J. W. Reed, manager of the engine works department, which has been adopted with well-known results in ... high-speed [torpedo boat destroyers] ..., and also in vessels constructed for the Admiralty on the Clyde. It may be observed that nearly 25 miles [40 km] of tubes are used in the manufacture of the boilers and machinery of each 30-knot destroyer."[7]

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Building for the world". The Journal. 22 May 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  2. ^ Dillon 1900, pp. 16–7.
  3. ^ a b Dillon 1900.
  4. ^ Gibbs 1896, p. 8.
  5. ^ Anon. 1899, p. 475.
  6. ^ Dillon 1900, pp. 28–50.
  7. ^ Dillon 1900, pp. 33–4.
  8. ^ Anon. 1902, pp. 613, 616.
  9. ^ "Christopher Furness, Obituary". The Times. 11 November 1912. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Shipwreck of SS Gairsoppa reveals £150m silver haul". BBC News. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  11. ^ C. Michael Hogan; Peter Saundry (21 May 2012). Cleveland, Cutler J (ed.). "SS Gairsoppa recovery". Encyclopedia of Earth. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Palmers' Moratorium". Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. 14 January 1933. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Steel Works to be Sold at Auction". The Times. 10 July 1934. p. 11.
  14. ^ Charles Palmer Archived 8 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company". Grace's Guide. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  16. ^ Crockett, Margaret; Foster, Janet (October 2005). "Report on the Access to Shipbuilding Collections in North East England (ARK) Project" (PDF). Tyne & Wear Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Swan Hunter History: Naval ships". swanhunter.com. 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Shipbuilder: Palmers Hebburn Co Ltd, Hebburn (1934 – 1973)". Tyne Built Ships. n.d. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  19. ^ "UK north east yards extend dock capacity". Motor Ship. 1995. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  20. ^ "New owner for A&P Tyne shipyard". The Journal. 2 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Co - Graces Guide".
  22. ^ "Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Co - Graces Guide".
  23. ^ SS Nevada
  24. ^ "Palmer Tyne shipbuilder Jarrow Willington Quay".
  25. ^ "Tyne tug Northumberland 1852".

General and cited references

  • Anon. (1899). "Launches and Trial Trips". The Marine Engineer. Vol. 20. pp. 474–6. OCLC 10460390.
  • Anon. (1902). "Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow-on-Tyne". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers: 613–6. OCLC 863604422.
  • Cuthbert, Jim; Smith, Ken (2004). Palmers of Jarrow 1851–1933. Tyne Bridge Pub. ISBN 1-85795-196-4.
  • Dillon, Malcolm (1900). Some Account of the Works of Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company Limited. Franklin. OCLC 68103311.
  • Gibbs, Frederick T. M. (1896). The Illustrated Guide to the Royal Navy and Foreign Navies; Also Mercantile Marine Steamers Available as Armed Cruisers and Transports, &c. Waterlow Bros. & Layton. OCLC 12714917.
  • Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-049-9.
  • Johnston, Ian; Buxton, Ian (2013). The Battleship Builders – Constructing and Arming British Capital Ships (Hardback). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-027-6.
  • Wilkinson, Ellen (1939). The Town That Was Murdered, The Life-Story of Jarrow. Victor Gollancz Ltd.

External links

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