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Aberdeen's Shipbuilding Heritage
Aberdeen boasts a rich history in shipbuilding, having constructed over 3,000 vessels, including more than 1,000 tall ships. This impressive feat makes it a significant location for maritime heritage, celebrated by events such as the Tall Ships Race. Aberdeen's contribution to shipbuilding surpasses many other ports globally, showcasing the city's pivotal role in the industry.
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Pictured: Aberdeen Harbour Area, 1843
Prominent
Shipbuilders
Aberdeen's shipbuilding legacy is marked by three prominent companies: Alexander Hall & Co., William Duthie, and Walter Hood & Co.
Alexander Hall & Co., operating from 1811 to 1957, built 289 sailing vessels. William Duthie and his descendants (1815-1870) constructed a total of 185 sailing vessels. Walter Hood & Co., active from 1839 to 1881, produced 100 sailing vessels.
These companies collectively represent the pinnacle of Aberdeen's shipbuilding expertise and innovation.
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Pictured are 22 of the Aberdeen Hall & Co. shipbuilders, 1862.
The Seven Trades
The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, established in the 16th century, were central to the city’s maritime and shipbuilding industries. This guild association brought together skilled craftsmen from diverse trades, each playing a vital role in Aberdeen’s shipbuilding success. Their expertise was particularly instrumental in the construction of iconic vessels like the Thermopylae and in supporting the Aberdeen Line, a shipping company known for its high-quality, fast ships that sailed worldwide.
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Through their contributions, the Seven Trades helped establish Aberdeen as a center of excellence in shipbuilding. The combined efforts of these trades ensured that Aberdeen-built ships were competitive on the world stage, making the city a leader in the global maritime industry of the 19th century.
Image credit: The Seven Trades of Aberdeen
Shoe Makers
Shoemakers crafted sturdy footwear for shipbuilders and sailors.
They also produced specialized waterproof boots, enabling workers to endure long hours on wet decks or in shipyards.
Weavers
Weavers produced textiles used in sail-making and in the everyday attire of shipyard workers.
Their fabrics were essential for creating strong sails and durable work clothing, both vital in the harsh maritime environment.
Fleshers
Fleshers, or butchers, supplied meat for shipyard workers and for long sea voyages, providing preserved meat products that were essential for the nutrition of crews on lengthy journeys.
Hammermen
Skilled metalworkers, including blacksmiths and farriers, the Hammermen forged essential ship components such as anchors, nails, and metal fittings.
Their work ensured that ships were durable and equipped for long voyages. This was mostly done through metal reinforcements to ship's hulls.
Bakers
Although primarily focused on food production, Bakers played a role in sustaining the shipyard workforce.
Their bread and baked goods were crucial for provisioning ships and feeding shipbuilders, ensuring a steady supply of food during ship construction.
Wrights and Coopers
They The Wrights and Coopers have always represented a broad church of craftsmen, with men using common materials and tools in their line of work.
These included wheelwrights, millwrights, cartwrights, shipwrights and housewrights – the term once used to describe those in the joinery trade.
Tailors
Tailors made clothing and sailcloth, crucial for sailors and shipbuilders who required durable workwear. They crafted uniforms and sail materials, supporting both the functionality and identity of Aberdeen’s ships and crews.
Notable Ships and Innovations
The first clipper built in Aberdeen, the 'Scottish Maid,' was launched in 1839 by Alexander Hall & Co. This ship marked the beginning of a new era in ship design and efficiency. Another significant vessel, the Thermopylae, was built in 1868 at Walter Hood's yard.
These ships exemplify the advanced shipbuilding techniques and materials used in Aberdeen, such as the transition from wood to composite construction with wood planking and iron frames, allowing for larger and more robust ships. The use of iron also provided additional cargo space, enhancing the ships' functionality.
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Pictured: The Tea Clipper Thermopylae.
Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
What is a Clipper?
Sailing vessels of various rigs with a fine-lined hull, a large sail area, and a sharp bow, that were designed to sail fast; and be efficient, in terms of their design, handling and economy of operation. They were often described like a horse as being able ‘to go at a clip’
Famous
Aberdeen-built
Ships
The RMS St Helena is a celebrated vessel with a unique legacy, built in Aberdeen in 1989 by Hall, Russell & Company. Designed as a lifeline to the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic, the ship provided essential supplies, mail, and passenger transport, connecting the island to the outside world for over 25 years.
Known for its resilience and reliability, the RMS St Helena became a beloved symbol of connection for Saint Helena’s community. Although it completed its final voyage to the island in 2018, the ship’s legacy endures, embodying Aberdeen’s proud shipbuilding heritage.
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Pictured: RMS St Helena