BAE Systems - Govan shipbuilding yard (Glasgow)

United Kingdom / Scotland / Renfrew / Glasgow
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BAE Govan shipbuilding yard, Govan, Glasgow

Originally founded in 1867 by John Elder, innovative engineer and shipbuilder. Elder died in 1869 and in 1886 his former partner Sir William Pearce formed the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd. Built a wide range of over 600 ships including battleships (e.g. HMS Howe, HMS Valiant), battlecruisers (e.g. HMS Renown, HMS New Zealand), aircraft carriers (e.g. HMS Implaccable, HMS Theseus), many cruisers and destroyers (e.g. HMS Liverpool, HMS Cressy, HMS Antrim), submarines (e.g. HMS K13, L16), ocean liners (e.g. Campania, Balmoral Castle, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada), paddle steamers (e.g. Koh-I-Noor, La Marguerite, Jeanie Deans, Cardiff Queen), many passenger / cargo and cargo-only liners and troopships (e.g Scottish Star, Leecliffe Hall, Shropshire, Oxfordshire), oil tankers (e.g. Shell Aramare, British Guardsman), harbour ferries (e.g. Bosphorus No 65, Kuzguncuk) coastal steamers and cross channel ferries (e.g. Princess Charlotte, Wahine), exploration vessels (e.g. Nile Expedition, Ibis) and many more. Also carried out significant marine engine building activities.

(This site has some old maps and photographs - K13 Submarine -
www1.webng.com/InteractiveLearning/K_13/K13maps.htm )

Firm went into receivership in 1965, Fairfields (Glasgow) Ltd formed to continue to use the yard. In the late 1960s became the Govan Division of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, then Govan Shipbuilders Ltd in 1973. Concentrated mainly in bulk carriers throughout 1970s and 1980s but also produced the large cross channel ferry Norsea during this time. In 1989 the yard became Kvaerner Govan, part of a Norwegian group. Specialised initially in LPG and chemical tankers but also diversified into other high value vessels including the satellite launch command ship Sea Launch Commander. Also returned to naval building with the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean. Yard sold to Clydeport plc who leased it to BAE Systems. Now (2006) the main assembly yard for the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer programme. One of the oldest remaining shipbuilding yards in the world but highly modernised and modified in recent times.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_Shipbuilding_and_Engineering_Company
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   55°51'57"N   4°19'19"W

Comments

  • My Uncle Hughie was a foreman there in WW2 when they built sections for the Normandy Landing 'Mulberry' Harbours.
  • If you look carefully, you can not only see the fifth Type 45 ('Defender') on the slip ready to launch (launched 21 October 2009) but also the bow section for 'Duncan' delivered from BVT Portsmouth.
This article was last modified 13 years ago