Established as the Thames Bank Ironworks by Thomas Joseph Ditchburn and Charles John Mare. Renamed in 1860, it had by 1863 the capacity to build 25,000 tons of warships and 10,000 tons of mail steamers simultaneously. One of its first contracts was for HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, which at the time was the world's largest warship and the first iron-hulled armoured frigate. In the early 20th century, the company diversified into building buses, coaches, cranes and bridges. It was forced to close because of the lack of new orders. The company had its own football team known as Thames Ironworks, which in 1900 became West Ham United.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
