Records of Simons-Lobnitz Ltd, shipbuilders, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland

This material is held atUniversity of Glasgow Archive Services

Scope and Content

  • Ledgers 1959-1960
  • Financial papers 1959-1970
  • Board and administrative papers 1959-1975
  • Estimates and enquiries: working papers 1959-1964
  • Production records 1959-1965
  • Financial records 1895-1967
  • Photographs 1959-1971
  • Ship plans nos 1160-1176

Administrative / Biographical History

Simons-Lobnitz Ltd was established in 1959  when G & J Weir Holdings Ltd , pump manufacturers, Glasgow, took over Lobnitz & Co Ltd , shipbuilders, Renfrew, Scotland, and merged it with William Simons & Co Ltd , ship and dredger builders, Renfrew, Scotland, which had been acquired by G & J Weir Ltd in 1957.

The announcement at the end of 1962 indicating that the Renfrew shipyards would close and that the activities of the company would be taken over by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd came as a surprise when the yard was operating not far short of peak production, although the company was operating at large losses until all work ceased at Renfrew.

Although it had been intended to close the yards by July 1963  this target was not achieved, largely due to labour disputes. The works, other than the smithy site and associated buildings were purchased by Thos W Ward Ltd , Engineers, Sheffied, England, on 31 August 1963  . The sales included the site of almost 50 acres, together with a wet dock and 2000 feet of river frontage, 40,000 square feet of industrial buildings and in excess of 1000 items of plant and machinery.

The final launch from Renfrew took place on 27 December 1963 when Hopper Barge no. 3 was put into the water under the supervision of Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd . All activity ceased following the trials of that vessel and her departure on delivery to Calcutta, India, at the close of April 1964.

Arrangement

This material is arranged into series, which consist of numbers of items related by function and/or format. Within series, the items are generally arranged chronologically.

These records exist as part of the larger Simons-Lobnitz Ltd archive, finding aid UCS 004.

Access Information

Held under the charge and superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland (ucs 004 only). Private records deposited by owners (ugd 215 and ugd 356 only).

Requests for access for legal, business or commercial purposes must be referred to the Keeper of the Records of Scotland (UCS 004 only).

Open (UGD 215 and UGD 356 only).

Acquisition Information

National Archives of Scotland: 1974 (UCS 004 only)

Held under the charge and superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland

Other Finding Aids

A single bound finding aid for the records of William Simons & Co Ltd, Lobnitz & Co Ltd, and Simons-Lobnitz Ltd is available in the searchroom (UCS 004).

Digital file level list available in searchroom (UGD 215 only).

Manual file level list available in searchroom (UCS 004 and UGD 356 only).

Manual file level list available at the National Register of Archives in London (NRA14659) (UCS 004 only).

Manual file level list available at the National Register of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)2504) (UGD 215 only)

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Conditions Governing Use

See separate copyright regulations (UCS 004 only).

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist (UGD 215 and UGD 356 only).

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents (UGD 215 and UGD 356 only).

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with national Archives of Scotland procedures

Custodial History

Records held by Simons-Lobnitz Ltd prior to acquisition by the National Archives of Scotland

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

See source list on Shipping and Shipbuilding Industry available via the Glasgow University Archive Services homepage

GB 248 UGD 349 and GB 0248 UCS 003 Records of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd

GB 248 UGD 355 and GB 0248 UCS 005 Records of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd

GB 248 UGD 004 Records of Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd

GB 248 UGD 114 and GB 0248 UGD 115 Records of William Simons & Co Ltd

GB 248 UGD 130 Miscellaneous ship plans

GB 248 UGD 149 Miscellaneous ship and engine photographs

GB 604 Paisley Museum, Art Gallery and Coats Observatory : Ship photographs 1890-1913

GB 064 National Maritime Museum Manuscripts Department: Plans and trial records of dredger c.1927

GB 243 TD 232 Ship plans 1814-1861

For contact details of all repositories with a GB code, see the ARCHON repository search page

Location of Originals

This material is original

Bibliography

No known publications using this material

Additional Information

The fonds level of description was compiled by Jenny Bunn, Assistant Archivist, 3 April 2000

Revised by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 19 October 2001

Revised by David Powell, Hub Project Arcvhivist, 29 April 2002

Geographical Names