Messrs Robert Napier and Sons was a famous firm of Clyde shipbuilders and marine engineers at Govan, Glasgow founded by Robert Napier in 1826. It was moved to Govan for more space in 1841. His sons James and John were taken into partnership in 1853.
The whole Clyde, every engineer and shipbuilder in it, was considered to have benefitted from the firm's achievements and celebrity. By the 1840s it was universally recognised as the finest in Britain. Many firms were founded by former employees.[1]
After Robert Napier's death in 1876 the plant and goodwill were sold by auction in March 1877 and purchased by a group of engineers led by the previous manager, A C Kirk. It continued to build ships and engines until 1900 when it was incorporated in William Beardmore and Company.
- ^ ed. W H Fraser and I Maver. Glasgow: 1830 to 1912 Manchester University Press 1996 ISBN 0719036925