For many years the River Clyde held a premier place in the world of shipbuilding and engineering, pioneering many advances in both disciplines. Whilst these days are long gone we should never forget the great contribution made by a range of companies, from those constructing luxury passenger liners and major warships, to those building a whole range of cargo ships, including numerous specialist types, and the smaller concerns concentrating on coasters, tugs, dredgers and puffers. Such well-known companies as John Brown, Fairfield and Barclay Curle plied their trade on this river and provided employment for thousands; indeed, the local area was important to shipbuilding as the industry was to sustaining the local area.

This illustrated history reveals the whole gamut of Clyde-built types constructed on the river and celebrates the glory days of times past, now sadly only living on in old photographs and the memories of those who were there.