The Walter Hood shipyard built many of Aberdeen's finest sailing vessels, including the famous clipper ship THERMOPYLAE.
Walter Hood was a native of Brechin and served his apprenticeship in Aberdeen before moving to Dundee to work there. In 1839 Hood returned to Aberdeen and is known to own and operate a yard under his own name at Footdee by 1840. He not only managed the yard but also designed the vessels built there.
Hood’s yard was located close to where Pocra Quay is today and was previously occupied by J & T Adamson. It was one of the better yards to work in as it had at least one and possibly two building sheds covering the launch ways, so protecting the workforce from the elements. It also had a separate slip to carry out repair work. Also, unlike most of the other Aberdeen yards at the time Hood’s vessels had their masts fitted after launch. This was due to the space constraints of building under cover.
Many of the sailing vessels for George Thompson's Aberdeen White Star Line were built by Hood. Some of the most famous such as THERMOPYLAE or PHOENICIAN were renowned for speed and raced back from China with tea to Britain. Others such as QUEEN OF NATIONS were mainly engaged with the voyage to Australia carrying cargoes of wool, copper, and other materials.
KOSCIUSKO was at the time (1862) the largest vessel ever known to have been fitted out in Aberdeen. It was also one of the last that Walter Hood saw to completion before his accidental death in December 1862.
The yard continued to build sailing ships such as MILITIADES and ROMANOFF after Hood's death.
However, the opening of the Suez Canal which could not be used by large sailing vessels effectively and the rapid rise in popularity of screw steamers heralded the end of Hood’s Yard. Hood’s did not build engines and could not compete against competitors like Alexander Hall’s locally or elsewhere who did. The yard was merged into Hall’s in 1881.
Image: WALTER HOOD engraved glass goblet (detail)
