Shipbuilding

In the 19th Century Waterford City was an important economic centre. Shipbuilding was a very profitable business in the city. The wealthy Quaker families of Penrose, White and Malcomson all had large shipyards. These shipyards provided a lot of jobs. When the industry was at its biggest, over 1,000 people were employed.

This booming business in the 19th century resulted in the growth in local ownership of ships. In 1853 at least 115 were registered and owned in Waterford Port. As you can see from the painting to the left, the river bank was always a hive of activity. All this trading and coming and going gave the city a vibrant maritime culture, which put it on the world map.