Details

Name

J & G Thomson Ltd

Brief Biography

founded 1845, Scottish

Occupation

Shipbuilders; Engineers

Description

Founded in 1845 by James and George Thomson, the brothers established the 'Clyde Bank Foundry' in Anderston in 1847. In 1851 they opened a shipyard – the Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard. James died in 1866, and his two sons, also James and George, associated with their uncle George in carrying on the business. Faced with the compulsory purchase of their shipyard by the Clyde Navigation Trust (which was running out of space for commercial quays to handle the growing trade and industry in Glasgow), they set up a new 'Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard' further down river at the Barns o' Clyde, near the village of Dalmuir, in 1871 - their iron foundry and engineering works moved there in 1881. When in full operation the works - shipyard and engine shops - gave employment to over 4,000 men. The rapid expansion of the shipyard and its ancillary works, and the construction of housing for the workers, resulted in the formation of a new town which took its name from the name of the shipyard which had given birth to it - Clydebank. John Brown & Company, a Sheffield-based steel-manufacturer bought J&G Thomson's Clydebank yard in 1899.