Leith Shipyards 1918-1939

Leith Built Ships Volume 2: Leith Shipyards 1918–1939 by R.O. Neish is a richly illustrated maritime history book exploring the interwar development of Leith’s shipbuilding industry in Scotland. Continuing the acclaimed Leith Built Ships series, this volume charts the evolution of Leith shipyards from the end of the First World War through the economic challenges of the Great Depression and into the outbreak of the Second World War.

Focusing on Scottish shipbuilding heritage, the book examines the fortunes of major Leith shipyards, including their consolidation under Henry Robb Ltd, one of the most influential names in British maritime engineering. It highlights technical advances in ship design and propulsion, particularly the rise of diesel-powered coasters and innovative shipbuilding methods that helped modernise the industry.

The book also documents notable vessels built during this period, including ships associated with global trade routes, maritime adventure and tragedy. Most famously the five-masted auxiliary sailing barque København, the largest sailing ship ever built in a British shipyard.

Rich in ship plans, historical photography and detailed archival research, the book pays tribute to the skilled craftsmen and engineers who sustained Leith’s shipbuilding legacy during a period of economic uncertainty and industrial change. It also traces the expansion of Henry Robb Ltd as it absorbed key yards such as Victoria, Cran & Somerville and Ramage & Ferguson - transforming Leith into a centre of innovative ship construction.

Ideal for readers interested in Scottish maritime history, industrial heritage, and shipbuilding innovation, this volume offers a compelling record of one of Britain’s most important coastal industries.