hinson, who, though delighted with the Mountaineer, built by the
Thomsons in 1853, did not hesitate to have her lengthened forward to
make her sharper, so as to secure her ascendency in speed during the
ensuing season. The results were satisfactory; and his steamers grew
and grew, until they developed into the celebrated Iona and Cambria,
which were in later years built for him by the same firm. I may
mention that the Cunard screw steamer Jura was the last heavy job with
which I was connected while at Thomsons'.

I then proceeded to the Tyne, to superintend the building of ships and
marine boilers. The shipbuilding yard was at St. Peter's, about two
and a-half miles below Newcastle. I found the work, as practised
there, rough and ready; but by steady attention to all the details, and
by careful inspection when passing the "piece-work" (a practice much in
vogue there, but which I discouraged), I contrived to raise the
standard of excellence, without a corresponding increase of price. My
object was to raise the quality of the work turned out; and, as we had
orders from the Russian Government, from China, and the Continent, as
well as from shipowners at home, I observed that quality was a very
important element in all commercial success. My master, Mr. Thomas
Toward, was in declining health; and, being desirous of spending his
winters abroad, I was consequently left in full charge of the works.
But as there did not appear to be a satisfactory prospect, under the
circumstances, for any material development of the business, a trifling
circumstance arose, which again changed the course of my career.

An advertisement appeared in the papers for a manager to conduct a
shipbuilding yard in Belfast. I made inquiries as to the situation,
and eventually applied for it. I was appointed, and entered upon my
duties there at Christmas, 1854. The yard was a much larger one than
that on the Tyne, and was capable of great expansion. It was situated
on what was then well known as the Queen's Island; but now, like the
Isle of Dogs, it has been attached by reclamation. The yard, about
four acres in extent, was held by lease from the Belfast Harbour
Commissioners. It was well placed, alongside a fine patent slip, with
clear frontage, allowing of the largest ships being freely launched.
Indeed, the first ship built there, the Mary Stenhouse, had only just
been completed and launched by Messrs. Robert Hickson and Co., then the
prop