The progress of shipbuilding and marine engineering on the Clyde may be said to include several more or less well-defined periods or stages, and the student of industrial progress must feel bound to connect with these the name of the late John Elder, a distinguished leader in these important industries, and an engineer whose improvements in the marine engine deserve to rank alongside those improvements which James Watt effected in his day. In 1852 Mr Elder joined his friend, Mr Randolph, in an established business, and shortly afterwards made preparations to add marine engineering to the mill-wright and other businesses of the firm. The new firm speedily established itself through a series of improvements, having for their object the reduction of fuel consumption on board steam vessels. In 1860 the firm commenced to build ships, and as shipbuilders and marine engineers they laboured successfully for sixteen years, building during that period 106 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 81,326 tons, and constructing 111 sets of marine engines, showing a nominal power of 20,145 horses. At this time the co-partnery contract expired, and Mr John Elder took over the entire works, carrying them on with great success until his death, which occurred in London in September, 1869, when at the early age of 45 years. After his death the business of the firm was taken up by Mr John F. Ure, Mr J. L. K. Jamieson, and Mr William Pearce, all of whom had previously achieved distinction in shipbuilding and engineering, and the efforts of these gentlemen far exceeded the success of Mr John Elder’s first firm. In 16 years, as above stated, the latter launched 106 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 81,326 tons, and constructed 111 sets of marine engines of 20,145 nominal horse-power, whereas the new firm launched in nine years 97 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 192,355 tons, and constructed 90 sets of marine engines of 31,193 nominal horse-power. About six years ago Mr Ure and Mr Jamieson retired from the firm, leaving Mr Pearce sole partner, and during these six years the activity and enterprise formerly characterising the firm have been worthily sustained, and the firm has kept in the very front rank. In maintaining this position, and achieving unprecedented results in the matter of swift steamships, not a little credit is due to Mr A. D. Bryce-Douglas, an engineer of well-attested skill, who wields the sceptre of authority in the engineering section.