947
In the previous article we saw how shipbuilding was flourishing in the Colony in the Sixties, with MoDonald's yard doing well in Wanchai, and an extension of his business in the western part of the harbour frontage. It is interesting, however, to trace some of the earlier dockyards and slipways - some of them appear to have changed hands several times within a few years, thus causing a certain amount of confusion when one attempts to keep track of them. Few records remain of most of those pioneer shipbuilders, and it is only occasional references, in descriptions of launchings and so forth, which enable us to follow their vicissitudes.
However, the old directories are a help - at least they give names, locations and dates. I propose to take this line to research first, and it is necessary, when dealing with the period up to about 1860, to visualise a Queen's Road within a few yards of the seafront.
We know that Captain J. Lamont was the Colony's shipbuilding pioneer (see 21-7-33). His first yard was located at East Point, and in February of 1843 he launched his first ship, the "Celestial" of 80 tons register. However, two other names occur in those earliest years; Messrs. Kent and Babes were two pioneer shipwrights, and it seems a pity that they appear to have been displaced quite early. By 1845 we find the following listed:
John Lamont, Shipbuilder and Carpenter, East Point; assistants were William Ross and George MoAlister.
F. Badenoch, Shipwright, Queen's Road, Assistant, William P. Burgess.
Emery and Fraser (or Frazer), Shipbuilders, Queen's Road East. In this concern were George Fraser, George R. Winslow, George Perkins, and Amos Chapman. W. Emery was a sailmaker, and resided at the Phoenix Inn, in Queen's Road.
Younghusband & Co., Shipbuilders, Queen's Road East. Staff comprised John Younghusband, Alexander Morrison, and Joseph Templeton.
Only a couple of years later, in 1847, we find these establishments reduced to two. The shipbuilders at the close of that year were:
John Lamont (East Point and Whampoa). His assistants were William Ross and Charles Stead in Hongkong, and J.F. Robertson and D. Anderson (foreman smith) at Whampoa.
George Frazar (or Fraser), at Queen's Road. Assistants, George Perkins and J.R. Lunt. Foreman smith, Jonathan Kines.
It was during the Fifties that big changes took place, and Wanchai (Spring Gardens) first came into prominence. The advent of a dockyard at Kowloon was by now also in the offing. Lamont, however, remained. We find by the end of 1860 the following shipwrights:
William Stuckey, Spring Gardens, Queen's Road East.
J.C. Cowper (or Couper), Spring Gardens. Assistants, William MoDonald, foreman shipwright, and Januario da Luz.
S.P. Hall & Co., Spring Gardens. S.P. Hall had as staff W. Wallace, assistant; W.H. Vickennan, book-keeper; and Alexander Coutts, blacksmith. He also had a dockyard at Whampoa, where George Burmester was in charge, assisted by George Thomas.
11..
947
In the previous article we saw how shipbuilding was flourishing in the Colony in the Sixties, with MoDonald's yard doing well in Wanchai, and an extension of his business in the western part of the harbour frontage. It is interesting, however, to trace some of the earlier dockyards and slipways - some of them appear to have changed hands several times within a few years, thus causing a certain amount of confusion when one attempts to keep track of them. Few records remain of most of those pioneer shipbuilders, and it is only occasional references, in descriptions of launchings and so forth, which enable us to follow their vicissitudes.
However, the old diectories are a help at least they give nemes, locations and dates. I propose to take this line to research first' and it is necessary, when dealing with the period up to about 1860, to visualise a Queen's Road within a few yards of the seafront.
We know that Captain J. Lamont was the Colony's shipbuilding pioneer (see 21-7-33). His first yard was located at East Point, and in February of 1843 he launched his firs ship, the "Celestial" of 80 tons register. However, two other names occur in those earliest years' Messrs. Kent and Babes were two pioneer shipwrights, and it seems a pity that they appear to have been displaced quite early. By 1845 we find the following listed:
John Lamont, Shipbuilder and Carpenter, East Point assistants were William Ross end George MoAlister,
His
F. Badenoch, Shipwright, Queen's Road, Assistant, William P. Burgess.
Emery and Fraser for. Frazer), Shipbuilders, Queen's Road East. In this concern were George Fraser, George R. Winslow, - George Perkins, and Amos Chapman. W. Emery was a sailmaker, and resided at the Phoenix Inn, in Queen's Road.
Younghusband & Co., Shipbuilders, Queen's Road East. staff comprised John Younghusband, Alexander Morrison, and Joseph Templeton.
Th
Only a couple of years later, in 1847, we find these establishments reduced to two, The shipbuilders at the close of that year were:
John Lamont (East Point and Whampoa). His assistants were William Ross and Charles Stead in Hongkong, and J.F. Robertson and D. Anderson (foreman smith) at Whampoa.
George Frazar (or Fraser), et Queen's Road, Assistants, George Perkins and J.R. Lunt. Foreman smith, Jonathan Kines.
It was during the Fifties that big changes took place, ♣ and Wanchai (Spring Gardens) first came into prominence. The advent of a dookyard at Kowloon was by now also in the offing. Lamont, however, remained. We find by the end of 1860 the following shipwrights:
William Stuckey, Spring Gardens, Queen's Road East.
J.C. Cowper (or Couper), Spring Gardens. Assistants, William MoDonald, foreman shipwright, and Januario da Luz.
S.P. Hall & Co., Spring Gardens, S.P. Hall had as staff W. Wallace, assistant; W.H. Vickennan, book-keeper; and Alexander Coutts, blacksmith. He also had a dockyard at Whampoa, where George Burmester was in charge, assisted by George Thomas.
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