s.s. 'Solway Prince' - Ship Forgings or Castings Form for Solway Prince - 1st April 1890.

The vessel was built by the Penarth Ship Building and Shiprepairing Company Limited. The forging stern frame forging held the rudder and stern bearings for the propellor shaft hence it was required to withstand exceptional forces during service. The forging was made by Messrs. Clay Inman & Company of Birkenhead Forge, Beaufort Road, Birkenhead.

[© Lloyd's Register Foundation : Unique Reference Code : LRF-PUN-CFF84-0106-F] [760] [20200712]

The Practical Engineer described a visit of members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers to Liverpool in July 1891 and specifically to the Birkenhead Forge [016] : -

'These works, belonging to Messrs. Clay, Inman, and Co., were erected twenty-two years ago for the manufacture of wrought-iron and steel forgings of the largest description, including stern frames and rudders. They are situated close to the graving dock and other docks in Birkenhead, with railway communication into the premises. The furnaces are worked throughout on the Siemens regenerative gas system, and the cranes by hydraulic power. There is also a turning shop, containing very powerful lathes and other machinery.'