James Laing

Sir James Laing (1823–1901) was a British shipbuilder and founder of James Laing & Sons in Sunderland. Life He was born at Deptford House in Bishopwearmouth (later known as Sunderland) on 11 January 1823 the only son of Philip Laing and Anne Jobling. His father was also a shipbuilder, having founded Laings of Deptford Yard with his brother John Laing (both from Fife) in 1793. Deptford Yard was a satelitte facility linked to Deptford but based in Sunderland. Their first ship the "Horta" had been built on the Harbour Sands near Sunderland. They then formed a shipbuilding yard on a bend on the River Wear. In 1843 James Laing took over the business and renamed it "James Laing & Sons". The company had a strong connection to Duncan Dunbar & Co, building one ship per year for them from 1843 to 1863. Duncan Dunbar continued to build ships but switched builder to Pile, Hay & Co in Sunderland.