When Mr.Hickson heard of my intentions, he said he had no wish to carry on the concern after I left, and made a satisfactory proposal for the sale to me of his holding of the Queen's Island Yard.

So I agreed to the proposed arrangement.

The transfer and the purchase were soon completed, through the kind assistance of my old and esteemed friend Mr.G.G.Schwabe, of Liverpool; whose nephew, Mr.G.W.Wolff, had been with me for a few months as my private assistant.
It was necessary, however, before commencing for myself, that I should assist Mr.Hickson in finishing off the remaining vessels in hand, as well as to look out for orders on my own account.

Fortunately, I had not long to wait; for it had so happened that my introduction to the Messrs.

Thomson of Glasgow had been made through the instrumentality of my good friend Mr.Schwabe, who induced Mr.James Bibby (of J.Bibby, Sons & Co., Liverpool) to furnish me with the necessary letter.