The works, which are situated on the south bank of the Clyde at Fairfield, near Govan, occupy an area of about 70 acres, and comprise shipyard, boiler shop, engine works, and tidal basin. The disposition of the various workshops is admirable, and as these are connected with each other by a broad gauge line of rails communicating with all parts of the yard and the terminus of the Govan railway, the conveyance of raw material in the first instance, its location in whatever section of the works it may be specially designed for, and its transmission in the form of finished items of structure or outfit to the vessels of which it is to form part, are all accomplished with ease. Entering by the south-east gate, the visitor proceeds in the direction of the business offices, his first impression probably being one of wonder at the immense quantities of iron and steel in plates and bars covering every available piece of ground, as well as the great quantity of timber of all dimensions stacked and in racks, maturing for after use. Arriving at the offices of the firm, the visitor is probably first ushered into the draughtsmen’s rooms, which, as well as a large reception-room, contain an extensive collection of models of the vessels that have been constructed by the firm. In these apartments a large staff of draughtsmen are employed in the work of designing new vessels, and making working drawings of ships already contracted for. Following the routine of practical operations the visitor is conducted to the moulding loft, which is 320 feet long by 50 feet wide. Here the drawings of the vessels are put down full size. The term “laying off” is applied to the operation of transferring to the mould loft-floor those designs and general proportions of a ship which have been drawn on paper, and from which all the preliminary calculations have been made and the form decided. The lines of the ship and exact representations of many of the parts of which it is composed are delineated here to their actual or real dimensions, in order that moulds or skeleton outlines may be made from them for the guidance of the workmen. These lines, when completed and carefully verified, are afterwards transferred to scrieve boards, from which the frames, floors, &c., are bent. In connection with the moulding loft is a pattern shop, in which the various moulds required in “laying off” are made.