James Edwards South Shields

Above map, showing the High Dock, is dated 1855 and is copyright of Ordnance Survey

In 1821 James Edwards Esq of Dublin married Elizabeth Straker, daughter of the shipbuilder George Straker Esq. George Straker put his son-in-law in charge at the High Dock and in 1830 tranferred the management to him. Under James' management the firm did not progress to any extent. He had been a land-agent in Ireland and lacked any experience of shipbuilding or repairing. Addied to this he came into control at a time of great commercial difficulties, culminating in the crisis at the end of 1847. However his son Harry Smith Edwards' character and disposition were more like his maternal grandfather, George Straker, and he brought new life to the High Dock & yard "owing to his emarkable energy, ability and foresight"
Above history is courtesy of Amy C Flagg

Year	Ship Name	D / H / P
1830	Elswick	D / H
1831	Elizabeth	D / H
1831	Jane	D / H
1831	Matthew Plummer	D / H
1832	Elizabeth	D / H
1832	William Wallis	D / H
1833	Adam Lodge	D / H
1833	Ceres
1834	Bacchus	D / H
1834	Flora	D / H
1834	Lord Sandon
1835	Earl Grey	D / H
1835	Viscount Melbourne	D / H / P
1836	Emma	D / H
1836	Windsor Castle	D / H
1837	Bywell	D / H
1837	Meldon	D / H
1838	Janet	D / H
1838	Mary Ann	D / H
1839	Catherine Greene	D / H
1839	Mary Muir	D / H
1839	Nancy Muir
1840	Caroline	D / H
1840	Lydford	D / H
1841	Oxford	D / H
1842	Erin	D / H
1843	Dublin	D / H
1843	Duchess of Buccleugh	D / H
1844	Aqua Marine	D / H
1844	Cordova	D / H
1845	Rajah Bassa	D / H
1846	Princess Helene	D / H
1847	Elizabeth	D / H
1849	Queen's Town	D / H
1850	Emily	D / H
1851	Exchange	D / H
1852	Ida	D / H
1854	Caluaria	D / H
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