Henry Robb Ltd 1945-1965

R. O. Neish

ISBN 10: 1849955077 / ISBN 13: 9781849955072

Published by Porto Press Ltd, GB, 2022

About this Item

Leith Built Ships Volume 3: Henry Robb Ltd 1945-1965 by R.O. Neish is a richly illustrated maritime history book that explores the post-war development of one of Scotland's most significant shipyards during a period of reconstruction, modernisation and gradual industrial decline. Covering the years 1945 to 1965, this volume of the acclaimed Leith Built Ships series documents Henry Robb Ltd's shipbuilding output in the aftermath of the Second World War, when demand for merchant and naval vessels drove innovation across the British shipbuilding industry.Focusing on Scottish shipbuilding heritage, the book highlights how Leith's shipyards adapted to a rapidly changing industry. It examines the transition from traditional riveted construction to modern electric welding techniques, a shift that transformed ship design and production while signalling the end of older skilled trades such as the rivet squads.Henry Robb Ltd 1945-1965 showcases a wide range of vessels built during this period, including ships commissioned by major shipping lines such as Ellerman Lines and the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, as well as orders from the Admiralty for naval supply vessels. These ships reflect both the global reach and technical capability of Leith's shipbuilding industry in the mid-20th century.Alongside technical detail and historical photography, the book preserves the voices of the workers, engineers and seafarers who built and served on these vessels, offering a human perspective on a changing industry.Essential reading for those interested in Scottish maritime history, industrial heritage, and shipbuilding innovation, this volume captures both the strength and the slow decline of a once world-leading industry.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781849955072

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Henry Robb Ltd 1945-1965
• Publisher: Porto Press Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1849955077
• ISBN 13: 9781849955072
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 398 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The story of Leith-built ships continues in this third volume from just after the conclusion of World War Two to 1965. However, the world was different; the men came back from the front and those women who had been working in the shipyards lost their jobs.

All shipyards were expecting full order books, replacing or repairing ships lost or damaged in the conflict, but the industry was changing albeit slowly at first. The advent of electric welding would eventually change the way ships were built leading to the demise of the Rivet Squad, which was replaced as a cost cutting exercise as it became the accepted method of ship construction.

Henry Robb Shipyard participated in the massive new shipbuilding programme with a great many vessels being ordered from two of the largest customers of the yard. Many orders came from the giant Ellerman Lines, while a great many more were ordered by other customers, such as the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand. The Admiralty also remained a customer and a few large supply ships would be built in this time.

In this volume the author has not forgotten the people who were the very fabric of the yard and community. Personal accounts are included from those who built or sailed on these vessels.

This is the story of a mighty industry, but one which nonetheless had begun its decline. In the century from 1893, this nation went from producing 80% of all the worlds' commercial ships to producing no commercial ships at all. It is a sad fact but this volume keeps alive the story of the Leith-built ships and the vibrant industry that once existed.