David Napier (marine engineer)
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This article is about the marine engineer. For other people of the same name see David Napier (disambiguation)
David Napier 1790-1869 was a Scottish marine engineer.
Napier began in his father's works at Camlachie and built the boiler for Henry Bell's Comet in 1812. Subsequently he took over the foundry and established a reputation as one of the best builders of marine engines in Scotland. In 1821 Napier moved to Lancefield Quay on the north bank of the Clyde and Camlachie was taken over by his cousin Robert Napier. At Lancefield Napier began to construct complete ships, including in 1827 the Aglaia, the world's first iron steam-ship.[1]
In 1839 Napier acquired a shipyard on the Thames at Millwall, London, which is commemorated in the modern Napier Avenue. The yard was run by his two sons, while Napier himself continued with experiments in improving the steamboat. In 1854 the yard was sold to Messrs J Scott Russell and used for building the Great Eastern.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ David Napier, Gazeteer for Scotland
- ^ Eve Hostettler 1986, Ship building and related industries on the Isle of Dogs, article in Dockland, NELP/GLC, ISBN 0-7168-1611-3
