In 1867 “the Buffalo” was put on the stack and launched more than 1.5 years later on March 10, 1868, at Napier and Sons Shipyard Govan upon Clyde (Glasgow).

Govan is famous worldwide for its place in the history of modern shipbuilding that began on the River Clyde as part of the rapidly expanding industrialization around Glasgow. In the mid-19th century, railroads developed and many new techniques were introduced for mass production of iron. Local production of iron was mainly used for the construction of bridges, ships, locomotives and industrial structures.

Robert Napier and Sons had a leading position among Clyde shipbuilders and ship designers in the Glasgow area. The shipyard, founded by Robert Napier in 1826, was moved to Govan in 1841 to build larger and modern ships. In 1853, sons James and John became co-directors within the company.

All the shipbuilders and designers in the Clyde region benefited from Napier’s good reputation and progressive ship,- and machinery designs. Recognized worldwide in 1840 as the best and most innovative British shipyard around. Many new machine shops were established by former employees who had gained their knowledge at Napier.

In 1821 Napier took over the Camlachie iron foundry from his nephew David Napier and in 1824 appointed David Elder (1795-1866) as manager. This firm constructed city waterworks stationary steam engines to drive pumps. In 1823, Napier built the first steam engine designed specifically for shipping. Designer David Elder (*father of John Elder) went on to develop many specialized steam engines for a variety of purposes. In 1826 a contract was won to supply steam engines and boilers for the newly built wooden steamship “Eclipse” and four years later for a number of ships of the “Glasgow Steam Packet Company.” In 1834, they received a contract to supply steam engines and boilers for the ships to be built from the “Dundee and London Shipping Company.”

In 1836 they obtained the order to build the “Berenice,” for the “East India Company” This was the shipping company’s first steamship. The wooden hull was built under sub-contract by “John Wood and Company shipyard” also located on the Clyde. In 1840, the first contract was signed with “Her Majesty’s Government” for the construction of a steamship HMS Akbar. Followed in 1841 by the construction of HMS Vesuvius and HMS Stromboli.

In 1842, Robert Napier and Son established a new shipyard on the Clyde at Govan in order to build larger and, in the future, ironclad ships, by which time the construction of wooden hulls was already partly outsourced to shipyards specializing in them along the banks of the Clyde.

Between 1840 and 1855, Napier supplied steam engines and boilers for the entire “Cunard Line” tributary ship
powered fleet (paddle fleet), the wooden hulls were made for Napier’s by “John
Wood of Port Glasgow and Steele & Co of Greenock”.
In 1850, Napier’s started building iron river steamers after which iron steam
powered marine vessels follow. In 1852, the first steam propeller ship was delivered to the
“Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company” (P & O line).

Between 1843 and 1864, the firm built 114 ships and by 1864 had more than 3,000 employees in
service. The yard builds the first “Cunard Line” steamship after which many more will follow.
After the death of Robert Napier in 1876, the shipyard facilities and customer base are being expanded via a
auction sold. March 1877 the shipyard is purchased by a group of shipbuilders
under the direction of former manager A. C .Kirk.
They continued to build ships until 1900 until the yard was incorporated into the firm “William
Beardmore and Company”.

Robert Napier was a pioneer of modern iron shipbuilding and design on the Clyde River.
He built the first successful steam engine in 1823 and in 1830 a number of specialized
mechanical workshops in Finnieston. By 1838, Napier was the largest supplier of
steam engines and boilers for Royal Navy ships.

Many modern ironclad warships were built for foreign navies and regarded as
“state of the art” in the second half of the 19th century.

As a designer and shipbuilder, Napier was remarkably successful on the banks of the Clyde at
Govan.

In 1841, he took over an old-fashioned shipyard in Govan and modernized it to build
Of modern iron ships. From Napier’s modern slipways, many warships were
cargo ships and ocean liners launched.

The iron plates and machine parts of the ship to be built and the boilers were initially
still made by “Parkhead Forge” , but in 1848 Napier took full control of it.
One of Napier’s most famous collaborators was *John Elder, who eventually made his own
successfully set up business in Govan.