Ramage and Ferguson

Category

Library Item

Item no

38696

Title

Ramage and Ferguson

Description

Portrait of workers (caulkers, riveters and hole borers) at the Ramage and Ferguson shipbuilders.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Engraver

Unknown

Date

1895

Size

9.0 x 11.6 cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Ramage & Ferguson was established in 1877 as one of the Victoria yards based near the West Pier at Leith, and their first ship was launched in 1878. The new company began by building iron ships and auxiliary sailing ships, but from the 1880s, steel construction replaced iron, and the yard was able to start making larger ships. Ramage and Ferguson was incorporated in 1892. Best known for building steam yachts, they also made deep sea vessels and coasters along with carrying out repair and salvage work. During the 1900s a number of vessels were built for local companies and overseas companies. Prior to World War I the yard was making a large tramp steamer for a Dutch company, along with a couple of East India ships. During the War, the yard made two Admiralty hospital ships as well as coastal steamers.

The yard was extended in 1917 so that it would be capable of building larger ships, but the post-war slump meant that there was not much demand for ships of this size. The yard continued making coastal steamers, but made their last ship in 1933 (an auxiliary barquentine, Mercator, for the Belgian Government). In 1934 the yard went out of business due to the Depression and was taken over by Henry Robb.

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Clothing and dress > Accessories > Belts

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Caps

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Clothing and dress > Garments > Shirts

Clothing and dress > Garments > Trousers

Clothing and dress > Garments > Waistcoats

People > Industry > Shipbuilders

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh