Desk Based Assessment

Date 16 August 2017

Event ID 1026832

Category Recording

Type Desk Based Assessment

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1026832

Connected with the Clyde 2

Having leased a yard at Kelvinhaugh (NS56 NE5101) since 1851, the shipbuilding company of Alexander Stephen and Sons purchased the Linthouse estate in 1869 for £32,000. The firm laid out a shipyard on these 32 acres of ground, situated on the south bank of the Clyde opposite Whiteinch. The mansion of Linthouse estate was turned in to the company's offices and the buildings of the shipyard built to the south of this. In the 1890s the firm employed 2000 workers and in anticipation of expanding further houses known as the ‘Linthouse Buildings’ were erected in the SE corner of the estate to accommodate 120 families. These are depicted on the 2nd edition of the OS 25-inch map (Lanarkshire 1895, Sheet 005.08), which also shows that the yard was roughly rectangular on plan, with the Linthouse burn marking its western extent. The Linthouse landing stage was situated on the river bank at the NE corner of the yard and an Aerofilms photograph of 1931 (SC1257233) has recorded the irregularly- shaped 250m indent in the river bank that provided space for the construction of vessels,. Access to the SE of the yard was via Renfrew Road. In 1968, the company was incorporated into Upper Clyde Shipbuilders and was closed in 1971. The shipyard has since been demolished and a large office and car park now occupy the site.

Information from HES Survey and Recording (AMcC) 16 August 2017.