Napier

David Napier ( 1790-1869 ), was the son of John Napier and was born in Dumbarton on 10th November 1790 . He was educated at elementary level at Dumbarton Public School. He moved to Glasgow in 1802 when his father moved his business to new premises in the Jamaica Street area of the city. In Glasgow he was taught drawing and mathematics by Peter Nicholson, a well-known authority on architecture. By the age of twenty he had learned much of his father's trade and on the death of his father he took charge of the business.

In 1812 David Napier provided the boiler for the Comet (the first passenger carrying steam vessel), in association with Henry Bell. Recognising the potential in the field of steam navigation, he erected new works at Camlachie in the east end of Glasgow, where he built small marine engines to supply the river steamers which were then being built. He pioneered improvements in steam vessels in order that they would be able to withstand heavier seas and thus be able to venture out of the river into the open sea. When he began to extend his business he purchased land at Lancefield, adjoining the Clyde in the west end of Glasgow, where he built new works and made a wet basin/dock. The works at Camlachie were then leased to his cousin Robert.

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