1. The growth & decline of British ship building
In the late 19th century Britain was a leading world trading power. She was the first to introduce new technology in shipbuilding and the British Empire and other countries ordered ships.
By the 1880s Central Scotland was the main world steel producer. Raw materials such as coal & iron could be found nearby. The Clydeside area of Scotland was ideal for building steamships;
skilled craftsmen & engineers
cheap labour from Ireland & Scotland
deep sheltered rivers for launching new and better ships
Clydebank was created when a shipyard moved from Govan further up the Clyde river.
1880s- 1950s Technological change
steel ships replaced wooden ships
steam engine perfected
by 1914 electric furnaces, cranes etc meant larger ships were built which could travel further & faster.
1950s- welding replaced riveting & indoor sheds meant more work year round
assembly line methods used by other countries- quicker & cheaper production
1880s boom years
depression in shipbuilding
boom years
decline of shipbuilding
1880s BOOM
Britain a world leader building 80% of world’s ships
20% of world’s ships built in Scotland. The Clyde area flourishing and a huge employer
Pre WWI many orders from Royal Navy
Warships and merchant ships built to replace those sunk by German U boats

2. Government policy towards shipbuilding
DEPRESSION
naval disarmament in peacetime
Scottish fishing industry needed fewer boats
development of air transport caused drop in orders for passenger liners
Britain lost its export market during WWI. Post war USA & Europe more competitive and developed new technology especially Germany with diesel engines.
many British yards were small firms and could not afford to modernise or experiment with new methods
wall Street Crash led to Great Depression- lack of orders caused many yards to close down
German & Japanese governments subsidised their yards but British govt did not.
BOOM
WWII meant a revival- demand for warships & merchant ships
rebuilding of world navies after war Britain provided half of world’s shipping
Clydeside - over 30% of British output
DECLINE
Britain more seriously affected by world slump than its rivals
Germany & Japan modernised. USA, Scandinavia & Korea introduced latest technology- assembly lines & pre fabrication
British yards could not compete with other countries. The industry had concentrated on specialisation and quality rather than quantity. Could not adapt to new methods & technology. Yard sites made it difficult to enlarge & change layout to assembly line approach.
Industrial disputes resulted in strike action
British yards got a bad reputation for high costs & late delivery
yards forced to close in 1960s
1985- Britain provided 2% of world shipping
Government policy towards shipbuilding
policy has changed with each government eg Conservative & Labour
government intervention too little too late- grants & credit schemes had little effect.
Labour govt reorganised the industry and gave £millions state support
Conservative govt refused to prop up the industy
1977 Labour nationalised British shipbuilding when demand for ships was low
after 1979 Conservatives sold off profitable yards & others were closed.