Robert Napier

Robert Napier (21 June 1791 - 23 June 1876) was a Scottish engineer, and is often called "The Father of Clyde Shipbuilding."

Robert Napier was born in Dumbarton to James and Jean Napier. James was of a line of esteemed ball-wrights, blacksmiths, and engineers, with a brother (also named Robert) who served as blacksmith for the Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle.

Robert was educated at the burgh school where he took an interest in drawing, which reflected in his later life in an interest in painting and fine arts. Against his father's hopes that he would become a minister in the Church of Scotland, he developed an interest in the family business. At age sixteen, he was confronted by a Royal Navy press gang who intended to conscript him into service during the Napoleonic Wars. Instead of allowing his son to be conscripted, James Napier signed a contract of formal indenture with his son, making him immune to conscription.

Robert's apprenticeship with his father lasted for five years, after which time he moved to Edinburgh and worked for Robert Stevenson, builder of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

In 1815 he went into business for himself, opening up a shop in Glasgow, and taking on two apprentices. On August 21st he was made a Burgess of Glasgow and on August 25th he joined the Incorporation of Hammermen - the organisation which regulated Glasgow's engineering trades. In 1818 he became a collector for the Hammermen, and became a deacon in 1820.

Also in 1818, he married Isabella Napier, the daughter of his uncle John Napier, who also had a business in Glasgow.

In 1823 he won a contract to build a steam engine for the Leven steamer. The engine was so good that it was later fitted to another ship, the Queen of Beauty. The Leven engine - his first engine - now rests at the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank branch of the Scottish Maritime Museum in Dumbarton.

In 1827, Robert Napier had the unique distinction of having built the engines of both of the two fastest ships to compete in the Northern Yacht Club's August Regatta. These were the Clarence and the Helensburgh. This distinction earned him a reputation as a shipbuilder, which furthered his career. In 1828 he established Glasgow's Vulcan Foundry.

Many of Scotland's most esteemed shipbuilders apprenticed under Robert Napier, including James and George Thomson, who founded the J and G Thomson Shipyard (now known as John Brown and Co).

Robert Napier continued building steamship engines, eventually expnding into steam engines for ocean-going vessels. In 1835 he procured a controversial contract with the East India Trading Company to build an engine for their ship, the Berenice. The Berenice, using Napier's engine, proved faster than her sister ship, the Atlanta - beating it to India by 18 days on their maiden voyage.

In 1838, Robert Napier was contracted by the Admiralty to produce engines for two of their ships, but eventually backed out of the deal. When Parliament questioned the deal, the reply proved that Napier's engines were cheaper and more reliable than those built in the Admiralty's usual shipyards on the Thames. Thereafter, Robert Napier was the Admiralty's primary engine builder.

Robert Napier's largest success, however, came from his business deals with Samuel Cunard. Together with Cunard, James Donaldson, Sir George Burns, and David MacIver, he co-founded the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.

In 1841 he expanded his company to include an iron shipbuilding yard in Govan, and in 1843 they produced their first ship, the Vanguard. He also procured a contract with the Royal Navy to produce vessels, notably the "Jackal", the "Lizard", and the "Bloodhound". He also allowed naval officers in training to visit at the shipyard to familiarise themselves to the new vessels.

Sources of Information

[1] Wikipedia