Henry Robb Ltd 1945-1965

Leith Built Ships Volume 3: Henry Robb Ltd 1945–1965 by R.O. Neish is a richly illustrated maritime history book that explores the post-war development of one of Scotland’s most significant shipyards during a period of reconstruction, modernisation and gradual industrial decline. Covering the years 1945 to 1965, this volume of the acclaimed Leith Built Ships series documents Henry Robb Ltd’s shipbuilding output in the aftermath of the Second World War, when demand for merchant and naval vessels drove innovation across the British shipbuilding industry.

Focusing on Scottish shipbuilding heritage, the book highlights how Leith’s shipyards adapted to a rapidly changing industry. It examines the transition from traditional riveted construction to modern electric welding techniques, a shift that transformed ship design and production while signalling the end of older skilled trades such as the rivet squads.

Henry Robb Ltd 1945–1965 showcases a wide range of vessels built during this period, including ships commissioned by major shipping lines such as Ellerman Lines and the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, as well as orders from the Admiralty for naval supply vessels. These ships reflect both the global reach and technical capability of Leith’s shipbuilding industry in the mid-20th century.

Alongside technical detail and historical photography, the book preserves the voices of the workers, engineers and seafarers who built and served on these vessels, offering a human perspective on a changing industry.

Essential reading for those interested in Scottish maritime history, industrial heritage, and shipbuilding innovation, this volume captures both the strength and the slow decline of a once world-leading industry.