Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company History and Legacy

The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1859, the company was a major player in the shipbuilding industry, producing some of the most iconic vessels of its time.

The company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to shipbuilding, which allowed it to produce high-quality ships at a lower cost than its competitors. This led to a significant increase in demand for the company's ships.

One of the most notable ships built by the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company was the HMS Warrior, a revolutionary iron-hulled warship that was launched in 1859. The HMS Warrior was a game-changer in the world of naval warfare, and it cemented the company's reputation as a leader in the industry.

The company's legacy can still be seen today in the many historic ships that were built during its operation.

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The Thames Iron Works and Shipbuilding Company has a rich history that spans several decades. The company's premises were initially used for shipbuilding, which was a significant industry at the time.

In 1912, the Royal Flying Corps was created, marking a significant shift in the company's future use. The premises were subsequently acquired by the Royal Flying Corps in 1915.

The company's transformation into an aeroplane storage facility was a major change from its original purpose.

The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company started building ships in the 1840s, with Ditchburn and Mare among the first to construct iron ships in the area.

In just a few years, the company expanded to cover a large area of over 14 acres.

By 1840, they were building ships weighing more than 300 tons, a significant milestone in their growth.

The company started with small paddle steamers and then moved on to bigger ships that could cross the English Channel.

They built ships for companies like the Iron Steamboat Company and the Blackwall Railway Company.

Their paddle steamer, the Meteor, and the Prince of Wales, traveled between Gravesend and the company's station.

The company also received contracts from the Admiralty, including the construction of the 12-gun brig, HMS Recruit.

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The Thames Ironworks Football Club was formed by employees at the Thames Ironworks, and it later became West Ham United Football Club.

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The club's emblem, a crossed hammer, represents the large riveting hammers used in shipbuilding, which is a nod to the company's history.

The media and most football fans refer to the club as "The Hammers", but the club's own supporters have always called them "The Irons", a chant you can hear on every match day.

The club's supporters have a strong sense of identity and tradition.

The shape of the club's badge, updated in 2016, is a representation of the cross-section of the bow of HMS Warrior, the first iron-clad battleship built by the Thames Ironworks in 1860.

Here are some key dates related to West Ham United Football Club's history:

Thames Ironworks produced some incredible ships during its operation. One notable example is the world's first all-iron warship, HMS Warrior, launched in 1860.

The company built several famous ships, including the ironclad King George for the Greek Government in 1868. They also constructed paddle steamers for the Blackwall Railway Company, like the Meteor and the Prince of Wales.

Thirty boats still exist from those produced by Thames Ironworks, with the most important being HMS Warrior in Portsmouth. A handful of lifeboats remain, some of which have been restored.

In addition to shipbuilding, the company expanded its offerings to include civil engineering, marine engines, cranes, electrical engineering, and motor cars.

Thames Ironworks was a shipbuilding company that originated in 1837 as the Ditchburn and Mare Shipbuilding Company in Deptford.

It moved north of the river, near to Bow Creek, where it remained until its closure in 1912.

The company was acquired by Peter Rolt in 1857 and re-named Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd.

At its peak, Thames Ironworks was the largest ship builder on the Thames, producing warships for the Admiralty and countries like Italy, Portugal, and Japan.

The company was also involved in civic engineering projects, and produced lifeboats for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Thames Ironworks played a core role in the life of the docks, employing up to 6,000 people for almost 80 years.

The 1890’s saw significant changes in working conditions, thanks to the efforts of Arnold Hills, who joined the board of directors in 1880 and became managing director a few years later.

Hills introduced an 8-hour day for employees, which was a significant improvement over the 10 to 12 hour shifts that were common at the time.

He also introduced the 'Good Fellowship scheme', which offered bonuses on top of normal wages.

Under Hills’ leadership, the factory became a centre of social and sport activities for the community, with the formation of various work clubs and the Thames Ironworks Football club in 1895.

The football club went on to enter the FA Cup and win the London League twice, before re-forming as West Ham United in 1900.

The company closed in 1912 due to competition with northern and foreign shipyards, economic crisis, and a lack of new orders from the Admiralty.

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The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company was a major player in the shipbuilding industry, with a long history of producing impressive vessels. They made iron parts for the Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar in Saltash in the 1850s.

Their ironwork was also used in the construction of the Kotri Bridge in Sindh Province, Pakistan, between 1897 and 1912. This impressive feat of engineering showcased their expertise in creating complex iron structures.

The company's most notable achievement was the construction of HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, which was the world's first warship made entirely of iron. HMS Warrior was a behemoth of the seas, being the biggest, fastest, most heavily armed, and most armored warship in the world at the time of its launch in 1861.

In the 1890s, the yard built two of the six British-made battleships that were crucial for the Japanese Navy in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905. These ships played a significant role in the war.

The launch of HMS Albion in 1898 was a tragic event, as a bridge collapsed, resulting in several fatalities. This incident highlights the risks involved in shipbuilding.

Their last big warship, HMS Thunderer, was launched in 1911 and weighed an impressive 22,500 tons.

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