The Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers came into existence in 1963 as a result of the amalgamation of the Associated Blacksmiths, Forge and Smithy Workers Society, the United Society of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers and the Shipconstructors and Shipwrights Association. After the amalgamation each society continued to operate independently for trade purposes until full integration took place six years later. In 1971 the membership was around 30,000 and was largely involved in shipbuilding. The Society represented workers involved in shipbuilding engineering trades, for example, welders, riveters and boilermakers (Marsh & Ryan, Historical directory of trade unions, ii, pp.72-3).
The provenance of the papers in the Brynmor Jones Library is the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders formed from the United Friendly Boilermakers Society in 1852 with the merger of the Scottish Society of Boilermakers and the Amicable and Provident Society of Journeymen Boilermakers of Great Britain. The United Friendly Boilermakers Society had its origins in the formation in 1834 of the Society of Friendly Boilermakers with a membership of fourteen and William Hughes as the first general secretary. In 1852 there were 2000 members. The Society stressed brotherhood and it adhered to strict rules about the age and health of its membership because it paid generous sickness benefits to workers and centralised branch funds aided members during trade depressions. In 1870 the Society affiliated to the Trades Union Council and there was a later name change to the United Society of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers. The papers end with the large amalgamation of 1963 (Marsh & Ryan, Historical directory of trade unions, ii, p.88).
From the guide to the Records of the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders/United Society of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers (Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers: Hull No. 1 Branch), 1862-1945, (Hull University, Brynmor Jones Library)
