There were numerous shipbuilders in Selby, many of whom were listed in various directories such as “Whites Directory” and “Baines Directory”.
Some of the ships built at the John Fosters shipyard included the “Seaton”, launched in June 1807, and the “Jubilee”, launched in October 1808 to commemorate the Jubilee of George III. The shipyard passed on to Samuel Gutteridge, who married John Foster’s daughter Mary. While Gutteridge was owner of the shipyard, at least 60 vessels were constructed onsite. After Gutteridge died, Thomas Green took over the shipyard in 1854; he was followed by James Banks, who took control of the shipyard around 1866; then J. Burton was the owner from 1876-1887, when Selby Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd took over.
The Cochrane & Sons shipyard closed down in 1993, meaning that the shipyard was open for nearly a century. During this time, hundreds of various types of ships and vessels were constructed in the shipyard. During both World Wars, ocean-going rescue tugs, mine sweepers and other vessels used by armed forces were constructed at the site under the orders of the British Admiralty.
From the 1960s, Stamford Bros operated from the shipyard, and other builders listed in records of the shipyard included T. Tasker and T. Jackson Shipyard.
Photos from Selby: The Industrial Past – Roland Chilvers.
There is an excellent documentary about Cochranes – see Abbot’s Staith Museum.
- Date
- 1850, 1900, 1950
- Ref no
- R2G/Riv/005
- Level
- Item
- Archive
- Selby : Abbot Staith
- Extent
- Nine photographs
- Theme
- River
- Decade
- 1850, 1900, 1950