David Napier (marine engineer)

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 1812th 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 ceilings 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. <ref> people/famousfirst1506.html David Napier, Gazeteer for Scotland </ ref>

That the Paddle Steamer "Aglaia" was not completely of iron, but only had an iron bottom, with wooden sides above water, was noted by Charles F.T. Young, in his important paper "The Fouling and Corrosion of Iron Ships: Their Causes and Means of Prevention, with Mode of Application To The Existing Iron-Clad'. The London Drawing Association, London, 1867 pp 36-49. "Aglaia" plied on Loch Eck. She was afterwards named "James Gallacher," and plied on the Clyde. Her dimensions were as follows: Length, 62' 8"; breadth, 13' 0"; depth, 4' 6"; gross tonnage, 49 36/94 tons.

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. <ref Name="Hostettler"> Eve Hostettler 1986 Shipbuilding and related industries on the Isle of Dogs,Dock article in Country, NELP / GLC, ISBN 0-7168-1611-3 </ ref>

References

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