David Napier

Who was David Napier?

David Napier was a Scottish marine engineer.

Napier began in his father's works at Camlachie and built the boiler for Henry Bell's Comet in 1812. Subsequently he took over the foundry and established a reputation as one of the best builders of marine engines in Scotland. In 1821 Napier moved to Lancefield Quay on the north bank of the Clyde and Camlachie was taken over by his cousin Robert Napier. At Lancefield Napier began to construct complete ships, including in 1827 the Aglaia, one of the world's first iron steam-ships. "Aglaia" in fact had only an iron bottom, and wooden sides above water, to ply on Loch Eck. She was afterwards called the "James Gallacher," and plied on the Clyde. Her dimensions were as follows: Length, 62' 8"; breadth, 13' 0"; depth, 4' 6"; gross tonnage, 49 36/94 tons. The world's first iron steamer was the paddle steamer Aaron Manby of 1821.

Napier was widely discredited after a series of boiler explosions between 1835 and 1838. Two of these involved the same steamer, the Victoria of Hull, which twice suffered boiler explosions on the Thames in 1838. On the second occasion, 14 June 1838, nine men were killed and a lengthy inquest saw heavy criticism of Napier's boilers and his conduct after the first accident of 16 March 1838.