Earle's Shipbuilding

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Earle's Shipbuilding was an engineering company that was based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England from 1845 to 1932.

[edit] History

The company was started in Hull in 1845 by two brothers, Charles and William Earle. The firm was made up of engineers and focussed on shipbuilding and repair; its most famous association was with the Wilson Line for whom they made many ships.

In the early 1870s Earle's built the SS Bessemer, Sir Henry Bessemer's experimental swinging-cabin paddle steamer, which made its maiden (and only) public voyage in 1875.

[edit] Decline

The firm started to decline when Charles died and William was taken ill and by the 1890s the firm had taken voluntary liquidation. From this Charles Wilson bought the firm and it was wholly owned by the Wilson Line but kept its name. It eventually closed in 1932.