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Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson

Wallsend, United Kingdom

Founded as C.S. Swan & Hunter in 1872 and merged with Wigham Richardson in 1903. Merged with Smiths Dock in 1966 to form Associated Shipbuilders, later the Swan Hunter Group. Acquired Clelands Shipbuilding Co. and John Readhead & Sons in 1967 followed by Vickers-Armstrong's Walker Naval Yard and Hawthorn, Leslie in 1968. In common with other British yards, the company was nationalised as part of British Shipbuilders in 1977. Privatised in 1987, the former Wigham Richardson Neptune Yard was closed in 1988. Placed into administration in 1993, but reopened in 1995, the yard was finally closed in 2006 and the company continued with design and engineering services.