Not Shoreham

[poliphilo]

My grandfather and father both worked for Blaw-Knox- an engineering firm which originated in the USA and now belongs to Volvo. When the  company's UK base in Rochester closed- folowing a takeover in 1968- my father set up his own company which continued the work of his division under the name John Grist Ltd.

We have quite a few photos in the archive relating to both companies. I particularly like this one because of the boats. I'm guessing at a date in the late 1940s. Someone has written Shoreham on the back and then crossed it out so all we know about the setting is that it could be any port you care to name apart from Shoreham.

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

The Everard lorry might be a clue to follow up. Not familiar from my childhood, that name.

The symbol on the hopper is Blaw Knox's from the sixties (spot the Rochester native :o) so it might just be their wharfage in Rochester- if the other shore was visibile that'd give a bigger clue.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Everard still exists. It's a shipping company- the Everard Line. There's a note on the back of the photo suggesting that the stuff in the silos is china clay. I don't know if that helps.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

That's how The Blanchard Company got its start, too -- big engineering firm didn't want its railroad division any more, and especially not the part that focused on marketing. What about my book of business? asked Roy. Take it with our blessing, they said...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I believe my father left Blaw Knox with a full order book. I don't know if he had to pay for it. He took most of his staff too.

[(Anonymous)]

China clay came/comes from Cornwall. We visited the works for a day from Devon. Mousehole possibly? Jenny xx

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Could be.

How about Plymouth? Same part of the world and I've read that Everard had a presence there.

[sovay]

Someone has written Shoreham on the back and then crossed it out so all we know about the setting is that it could be any port you care to name apart from Shoreham.

Everard was based out of Greenhithe. They were mostly shipowners and shipbuilders, but they had tanker trucks; I found this thread (cached) trying to track down pictures of some.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you for finding those.

I've been to Greenhithe. There's not much going on there now in the ship-building line.

[sovay]

Thank you for finding those.

You're welcome. Do you know who took the photograph? It's a very good composition.

I've been to Greenhithe. There's not much going on there now in the ship-building line.

Where are ships built these days?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've no idea who took the picture. I'm guessing its the work of some pro or semi-pro hired by Blaw-Knox.

I don't think there's much serious ship building going on in Britain these days. A lot of the big yards have closed. I gather there's still some activity in Glasgow and Belfast.

[sovay]

I gather there's still some activity in Glasgow and Belfast.

I'm glad they still build them.