manufacturing
John Knights Ltd Soapworks (4)
John Knights Ltd Royal Primrose Soapworks manufactured more than just soap. The tanker lorry of the London Oil Corporation has - or is about to - recieve a load of edible oils for the food industry.
(photo: Newham Heritage & Archives - Godfrey collection)
At Work
Although many of our long-established industries have gone, West Ham was described as second only to Birmingham in importance for its manufacturing in 1910 and all of these items from the Newham Heritage & Archives collection are from local manufacturing companies.
Launch of HMS Thunderer
HMS Thunderer was the last ship to be built by the Thames Iron Works Shipbuilding & Engineering Company of Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town.
Thames Iron Works
By Robert J. Rogers
The largest ship builders on the River Thames were the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company. The firm was originally opened in 1846 as C. J. Mare & Co.
Thames Iron Works - illustration
Thames Iron Works, Shipbuilding, and Engineering Co., Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town, originated in 1846 as C. J. Mare & Co., and survived until 1912. It was one of the largest local employers. It built many warships, including the battleship Thunderer (1911). This image was published in the Illustrated London News in 1854.
Victoria Dock Road 1904.
White Gates level crossing, 1904. This was a notorious local bottleneck.
Lamson Paragon 1987
Lamson Paragon Ltd, Fords Park Road, Canning Town, originated in in 1886, when the Paragon Check Book Co. was formed to manufacture in England the Paragon check book invented in Canada by J. R. Carter.
