I obtained a considerable accession of strength from Newcastle.

On the death of Mr.Toward, his head foreman, Mr.William Hanston, with a number of the leading hands, joined me.

From that time forward the works went on apace; and we finished the ships in hand to the perfect satisfaction of the owners.
Orders were obtained for several large sailing ships as well as screw vessels.

We lifted and repaired wrecked ships, to the material advantage of Mr.Hickson, then the sole representative of the firm.
After three years thus engaged, I resolved to start somewhere as a shipbuilder on my own account.

I made inquiries at Garston, Birkenhead, and other places.