Pointhouse Shipyard

In 1862 the brothers decided to start shipbuilding and took over the Pointhouse yard on the east bank of the River Kelvin not far from where it flows into the Clyde. It was a well laid yard out with four building ways. There was also a patent slip from which new ships could be launched and vessels could be hauled up for underwater repairs.

The yard was technically very advanced for its time with a type of ‘railway’ for moving hulls from the building berths to the launch slip which was 270 feet long. The platers’ shop was arranged along Ferry Road whilst the Burner Shop and Blacksmiths was close to the Clyde. The Outfitter shop was to the south side of the North British Railway line out to Helensburgh and the Engine Works and Boilermakers Shop was on the other side of the railway.