Cochranes of Selby: Yorkshire Shipbuilders 1844 - 1992

Over twenty years have elapsed since the closure of the Cochrane Shipbuilding Yard at Selby with nothing in the way of a definitive record produced showing the history, operation and achievements of a noted Yorkshire shipbuilder. The authors felt the need to produce a record which as well as specifically listing the output of this highly regarded shipbuilding company, also give an insight into how it all started, developed , constructed and adapted over a hundred years of building ships. During its lifetime, the Company turned out in excess of fifteen hundred vessels, many of which in later years in particular, were highly specialized and complex types. The book is written by two shipbuilders, both ex-Cochrane workers, who have design and engineering backgrounds and they are hoping that this is reflected in the book content, with an emphasis on the technical rather than the historical and commercial aspects of the Company. Their intent therefore is to provide as much information covering the practical side of shipbuilding and show how a small British shipyard designed and built vessels during both World Wars and in peacetime. The authors are ideally placed to produce the book, having special access to the Company archives of ship drawings, photographs, calculations and contractual documentation. They have an intimate working knowledge of the Company in its latter years, acquired as employees until its closure in 1992. Both held senior positions at the Cochrane Yard with over 50 years service between them. Eric Hammal was the Company Naval Architect /Design Manager and Peter Coates, who had sea going experience, was Chief Engineering Draughtsman / Guarantee Manager. Their contact with many ex members of staff and workforce has made it possible to include contributions from personal collections. The book includes chapters covering "the people", "company image", "design procedures", "production methods", "side launches" and the ships themselves. It contains large numbers of photographs and detailed drawings, particularly ship general arrangement plans, many of which have never been published previously and are unique to this shipbuilder. The book contains details of all ships built and contracted under the Cochrane name. This information is presented in the form of a "Ships Built List", giving vessel "as built" main particulars, combined with a selection of photographs and drawings, chosen to show as wide a range of both old and newer vessel types. The information quoted in the book is in the main, taken directly from the actual shipbuilder's documentation.