John Thompson (1826-1898)

I believe this gentleman was responsible for the following Patent - see chapter : The Patent for the Penarth Slipway.

JOHN THOMPSON, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the County of same name, Engineer, and GEORGE COOPER, of Penarth, in the County of Glamorganshire, South Wales, Naval Architect. " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SLIPWAYS. "

John was born 11 January 1826 of Robert Thompson and Sarah Lowes, in Monkwearmouth. John started learning the shipwright trade in 1837, working with his father. He was also apprenticed to John Watson at Pallion from 1840 to 1844. In 1846 he joined with his father and brothers Robert and Joseph Lowes in the firm, Robert Thompson & Sons at the North Sands. John was a Shipwright when on 6 February 1848, he married Harriet Johnson at Monkwearmouth. After his father's death in 1860, John left the firm to open his own yard at the North Dock. This venture did not prove very successful. John died 4 January 1898, seven days short of his 72nd birthday, at West House, Fulwell. Many thanks to the website of 'The Thompson's, Shipbuilders of Sunderland' for the above information. [1049]