Harland & Wolff, Head Quarters | Harland & Wolff, Engineering & Foundry
It was around 1913 when Harland & Wolff Ltd, expanded their existing shipbuilding business into Liverpool. Opening a further engineering Works and foundry on Strand Road, along with a new head quarters on Regent Road. The Belfast company built many grand ocean liners, including the famously ill-fated RMS Titanic. Titanic had a close connection with Liverpool, due to the White Star Line company, having their head quarters in the city, as well as being Titanic’s registered operator. Titanic carried the port of registry plate, ‘Liverpool’, below the name plate on her stern.
Harland & Wolff Shipbuilding in Liverpool, mainly carried out refits, repairs and maintenance to a wide variety of vessels. However, the engineering works and foundry, was known to also produce engines and components for ships at their other shipyards. Most of Harland & Wolff’s ships, were constructed at their main Belfast yard, whilst only small working boats such as lighters and canal vessels were built in Liverpool.
Harland & Wolff, Head Office
The former Harland & Wolff head quarters which stood on Regent Road, until finally being demolished in 2013. The yellow sign for the White Star Café is still in place above the large arch.
Harland & Wolff finally closed and abandoned their Liverpool operation in 1962/63. Their head quarters finally being demolished in 2013, whilst the former engineering & foundry building still survives as a storage facility. It is said that an original Harland & Wolff, 25ton overhead crane, built in 1913, still stands in situ within the original foundry. Quite a few years after Liverpool’s Harland & Wolff closure, a Café opened its doors within the former head quarters. The White Star Café, a popular choice for dock workers, for it’s excellent breakfast menu, included the large ‘Titanic’ and even larger, ‘White Star’ breakfasts. It was said, nostalgic former Harland & Wolff employees often returned to the Café, as well as those interested in the history of the company. Sadly, the Café had to close when the building was demolished in 2013, to make way for additional storage space for containers.
Harland & Wolff, Engineering & Foundry
The former Harland & Wolff, Engineering Works & Foundry building, still survives on Strand Road. The main wide image is a Panorama, showing the entire width of the building and can be viewed at full size for max detail. Also, closeups of the nicely created brick, ‘Harland & Wolff Ltd’ and ‘Foundry’ building signage.
A map showing the location of both Harland & Wolff buildings in Liverpool. The Foundry & engineering works, Strand Road, and the Liverpool Head Quarters & engineering Works, Strand Road. The Map: OS 1:1,250/1:2500, 1944-1974 Map (curtesy of National Library of Scotland).
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