Alfred Yarrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Yarrow
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| Born |
Alfred Fernandez Yarrow
13 January 1842 East London, London, United Kingdom
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| Died | 24 January 1932 (aged 90) |
| Resting place | Highgate Cemetery |
| Nationality | British |
| Citizenship | British |
| Education | University College School |
| Spouse(s) | Minnie Yarrow (m. 1875) Eleanor Yarrow (m. 1922) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | Edgar Williams Yarrow (father) Esther Lindo (mother) |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Shipbuilding |
| Practice name | Yarrow Shipbuilders |
Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow (born 13 January 1842 – died 24 January 1932) was a famous British shipbuilder. He started a very important company called Yarrow Shipbuilders. This company became well-known for building fast and powerful ships.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Alfred Yarrow was born in East London. His family was not wealthy. He went to University College School for his education. Even from a young age, he was very interested in how things worked.
Building a Shipbuilding Empire
Alfred Yarrow became a master shipbuilder. He built a company that made many different types of ships.
Starting His Business
In 1865, Alfred Yarrow started his own business. It was first called Yarrow and Hedley. Their first workshop was in Poplar, near the Isle of Dogs. They began by building small steam-powered boats for rivers. These boats were special because they could travel in shallow water. Some of his boats were even used in the Nile Expedition in 1884.
By the early 1870s, Yarrow started building ships for navies around the world. He built torpedo boats for countries like Argentina and Japan. In 1892, he built the first two destroyers for the Royal Navy (Britain's navy). These ships were called Havock and Hornet. Yarrow became good friends with Lord Fisher, a very important naval leader. Because of this friendship, Yarrow Shipbuilders built many fast boats for the Royal Navy.
Moving Shipyards
The partnership with Hedley ended in 1875. The company then became known as Yarrow & Co. Around 1898, the shipyard moved to a bigger location in London. But this move was only for a short time. Between 1906 and 1908, Yarrow moved his entire shipyard north. He moved it to Scotstoun on the River Clyde in Scotland. This river was famous for shipbuilding. In 1913, he also bought a company in Canada, which was renamed Yarrows Ltd..
Innovations in Shipbuilding
Alfred Yarrow was very smart and always thought of new ways to make ships better. He invented many things to make ships go faster. In 1912, he was asked to join a special group called the Royal Commission on Fuel and Engines. This group looked for better ways to power ships. Even after he passed away, his shipyard was known worldwide for building small, very fast ships.
A Life of Giving Back
Sir Alfred Yarrow was not just a successful businessman. He was also a very generous person. He became a baronet in 1916, which is a special honor.
Family and Home
For many years, he lived in Greenwich, London. He lived in a house called Woodlands House. He had six children. His son, Harold, took over the business after him. Another son, Eric, sadly died in a war when he was young. Sir Alfred donated an art gallery to a school in Eric's memory.
Helping Others
Sir Alfred Yarrow gave a lot of his money to help others. He donated to many good causes, including:
- A special home for children on the Isle of Dogs.
- Homes for soldiers' widows in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
- A school called the Royal Merchant Navy College.
- A home and hospital for children in Broadstairs, Kent.
- Scholarships for students at University College London.
- Money for scientific research at Girton College, Cambridge.
- A gallery at Oundle School.
- Medical research at the Royal London Hospital.
He died on 24 January 1932 and is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
See also
- Yarrow boiler
Gallery
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This photo of Woodlands House appeared in the November 1897 edition of Cassier's Magazine as part of an article about Alfred Yarrow.
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Eric Yarrow, son of Sir Alfred Yarrow
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Grave of Sir Alfred Yarrow in Highgate Cemetery (west)
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Eleanor Lady Yarrow, née Eleanor Cecilia Barnes, 2nd wife of Sir Alfred Yarrow
