While other concerns were slack, we were either lengthening or building steamers as well as sailing-ships for firms in Liverpool, London, and Belfast.
Many acres of ground were added to the works.

The Harbour Commissioners had now made a fine new graving-dock, and connected the Queen's Island with the mainland.

The yard, thus improved and extended, was surveyed by the Admiralty, and placed on the first-class list.

We afterwards built for the Government the gun vessels Lynx and Algerine, as well as the store and torpedo ship Hecla, of 3360 tons.
The Suez Canal being now open, our friends the Messrs.

Bibby gave us an order for three steamers of very large tonnage, capable of being adapted for trade with the antipodes if necessary.