Robinsons Shipbuilders, Sunderland 1839-1870s

[URABUS]

James and John Robinson (father/son) were my 4th /3rd Greatfathers and built a large number of ships described as "many are good sized boats of good rating for well known men" and "quite important ships and barques of good average grade"
James b 1784 Skelton,d 1873 Bishopwearmouth (Bwm). John b1815 Bwm. D ?, married 30/6/1840 Sunderland to Martha. They had a daughter Elizabeth who married John Small Andrew 24/12/1867. John was a "surgical instrument maker" and "engineer on steamship". They had son William Henry Andrew b 1868  who became a Chief Marine Engineer.
I am having difficulty in finding out more about the Robinsons and their business and would appreciate any help to flesh out my knowledge. Also anything on the Andrew connection particularly relting to their occupations.
Thank you
Les

[hanes teulu]

URABUS,
Checked 'historical directories' on line.

Slater's Commercial Directory of Durham, N'land,Yorkshire 1855
Shipbuilders
John and James Robinson, Deptford
Shipowners
Robinson John and James, Deptford

There is also an entry for Robinson John, 15 John St, B.W. (presumably Bishopwearmouth?) but might not be the same John.


Post Office Directory N'land and Durham 1858 -
Robinson James, Master Mariner, 18 South Durham St, B. (B = Bishopwearmouth in Index)
Robinson John, Shipbuilder, Deptford, B.

Yet to check directories for 1850/1851

regards
   

[hanes teulu]

The earliest reference I've found is

Ward's N'land and Durham Directory 1850

John Robinson, Shipbuilder and Owner, Deptford r. Mount Pleasant. B

Think the r. indicates home address as opposed to Works at Deptford? (haven't located Index)

regards

 

[stanmapstone]

From Volume 1 of "Building Ships on the North East Coast" by J.F. Clarke
"Robinsons built ships over many years and while there are many difficulties in sorting out family links, John Robinson had almost 19,000t to his credit over the years1846-69. A second yard at Deptford was run by James Robinson and built at least 25,000t during the years1839-67." A map showing the Wear Shipyards in 1861 has J & J Robinson as one of three shipyards at Deptford, and James Robinson's yard at Pallion.
John Robinson was one of the founder members of the Wear Shipbuilders' Association on8 November 1853.
You can see the location of the shipyards at Deptford on the 1851 map at http://lewis.dur.ac.uk/pip/singlezoom.asp?img=p2650&ref1=2415

Stan

[stanmapstone]

From the 1858 Post Office Directory: Ship Builders,
Robinson J. North Hylton, Sunderland
Robinson J. South Hylton, Sunderland
Robinson J. Deptford, B(ishopwearmouth) Sunderland
Robinson W. South Hylton, Sunderland

Stan

[stanmapstone]

You can locate Mount Pleasant, John Robinson's residence, if you go to http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/interMAP/viewer.htm and put the coordinates 438590, 557940 in to search, and it is marked on the 1919-1926 map. It is on the 1851 map but is not named.

Stan

[peter brownlee]

A list of Sunderland shipbuilders in 1857 gives James Robinson at Low Pallion as builder of the snow/brig Hannah Andrew 202 tons for Robert Adamson Sunderland, and the Affiance 368 tons. John Robinson at Deptford Tce builder of the Weardale 188 tons Seamew 409 tons and Marshmallow 283 tons. I think these might be brothers.  James Robinson born Skelton 1784 on the 1851 census is described only as a journeyman shipwright. There is also a yard called Green Robinson & Co in 1857.
I have a list of ships built by Robinsons of Sunderland 1858-1863 that runs to about 40 names, mostly medium size snows and barques for NE owners but a few for further afield, like the larger ships Wild Duck 735 tons and England 853 tons for London owners. There was only one iron vessel the brig Collean Bawn 280 tons built 1861.
The barque Gladiolus 388 tons was built for John Robinson of North Shields and the barque Falcon 319 tons for G&J Robinson Arundel.  Hume & Easton built a brig Isabella Robinson 427 tons about that time, but of course Robinson is a common name and these latter may be co-incidence.
Hope this is useful, Peter

[peter brownlee]

Further to the previous, shipbuilder James Robinson b 1820 in Sunderland living in Church St Low Pallion with wife Jane b Loftus Yorks, does appear to be the elder brother of John and son of James Robinson elder who appears in the 1841 census as a shipbuilder.
Peter

[URABUS]

Peter, Stan, Hanes thank you so much for your help. We are visiting Sunderland later this year with a view to researching the Robinsons and the Andrew side of the family any suggestions as to where to go (perhaps I should have re-phrased that!). Would the library be a good start?
Les