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John Brown and Company of Clydebank : A History In Pictures

John Brown and Company of Clydebank : A History In Pictures

CSS Robert E. Lee, launched in 1860

John Brown and Company of Clydebank was a Scottish marine engineering and shipbuilding firm.

Moreover, the birthplace of many epic and legendary world-famous ships.

Bothnia, launched in 1874

West Yard at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing the West Yard looking towards Dalmuir. The steam travelling crane used on the West Wharf of the Fitting-out Basin is in the centre of the image; the Timber Yard buildings are in the background on the right, beyond is the clocktower of the Singer Manufacturing Co factory at Kilbowie. West Yard at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901
Joiners’ Shop at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing the interior of the Joiners’ Shop in the East Yard. Joiners’ Shop at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901
Boiler Works at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing the interior of the Boiler Works. Boiler Works at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901

Galvanizing Shop at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing the interior of the Galvanizing Shop. Galvanizing Shop at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901

Mould Loft at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing the interior of the Mould Loft. The lines of the armoured cruiser HMS ‘Leviathan’ (1901) are drawn full size on the floor. Mould Loft at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901
Plate-bending rolls at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank showing workers using the 35ft plate-bending rolls at the side of the Platers’ Machine Shed in the East Yard. Plate-bending rolls at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901
General Offices and Stackyard at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901 The John Brown & Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works at Clydebank. A view of the General Offices and Stackyard showing plate racks in the foreground and the shipyard entrance on the Dumbarton Road in the distance. General Offices and Stackyard at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, 1901
Cassier’s magazine picture of Clydebank Shipyard (1904)
Cassier’s magazine (1904)
RMS Lusitania, before her launch on 7 June 1906.
Shipyard general store at John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank.
Some of the names built include:
The ‘Aquitania’ (1914) before launch Preparations for the launch of the passenger liner ‘Aquitania’ (1914) from the shipbuilding yard of John Brown & Co Ltd at Clydebank. The photograph is showing an oblique view of the amidships part of the ship on the port side. An enclosure for spectators is being constructed in the foreground. A bucket dredger and hopper barge are working on the River Clyde in the distance. Amidship part of the Aquitania (1914) on the stocks
RMS Aquitania, shortly before her launch in April 1913.
Advertisement for John Brown & Company in Brassey’s Naval Annual 1915, featuring the Indefatigable-class battlecruiser HMAS Australia.
Advertisement for John Brown & Company forgings, in Brassey’s Naval Annual 1923.

 RMS Lusitania, RMS Aquitania, HMS Hood, HMS Repulse, RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Advertisement for John Brown & Co., shipbuilders in Brassey’s Naval Annual 1923, showing HMS Hood – built by John Brown.

At its height she was one of the most respected shipyards in the world.

In 1968 John Brown’s merged with other Clydeside shipyards to form the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders consortium, but that collapsed in 1971.

RMS Queen Elizabeth on the slipway at Clydebank, circa 1938.
HMS Indefatigable being launched, December 1942.

After a series of changing hands, including a stint building energy equipment, the shipyards closed for good in 2001. See a brilliantly written piece by Bass Moog: The Shipbuilding Plunderer of Scotland & England

The Shipbuilding Plunderer of Scotland & England : Sir James Lithgow
River Clyde

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John Brown and Company of Clydebank : A History In Pictures

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