Workman, Clark and Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1879 in Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Founder | Frank Workman, George Clark |
| Defunct | 1935 |
| Headquarters | Belfast , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Ships (including transatlantic passenger liners) |
Workman, Clark and Company, frequently referred to as Workman & Clark, was a shipbuilding enterprise located in Belfast that operated between 1879 and its eventual shutdown in 1935.
History
The firm was established in 1879 at Belfast Harbour by Frank Workman alongside George Clark. In 1880, it was officially registered as Workman, Clark and Company Limited. Both partners brought with them familial connections to the shipbuilding industry as well as prior work experience with Harland & Wolff.
By the year 1895, the company had become the fourth largest shipbuilder within the United Kingdom. Around 1900, it was engaged in constructing transatlantic passenger liners for prominent companies such as Cunard Line and Alfred Holt. The outbreak of World War I led to increased production demands, prompting expansion. In 1918, the firm was acquired by the Northumberland Shipbuilding Company.
Operational difficulties led to the retirement of both founders from the board in 1921. After Northumberland Shipbuilding went into receivership in 1927, Workman, Clark experienced a short-lived revival but ultimately succumbed to receivership itself in 1935.
Frank Workman
Frank Workman, who also served as a Belfast city councillor, was instrumental in establishing the Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV) in 1912. During early periods of financial strain, Workman personally supported the organization’s expenses beginning in 1914.