Robert Davies shipwright
This article is part of ICE's Engineer biographies series.
DAVIES, Robert (d. 1723), shipwright, leased a shipbuilding yard in Leith at the start of the eighteenth century.
At that time there was already a small dock, 60 ft. by 24 ft., known as Lynn's Dock, built at the end of the previous century. Davies was well connected by his marriage to Janet Livingstone, the daughter of the Court of Sessions Clerk.
In April 1709, he was made a Burgess of Edinburgh and in 1710 successfully renewed his petition to build a dock capable of the repair of large vessels. The dock was similar to previous docks in the area and used a right-angled kink in the bank of the Water of Leith to provide two sides of the dock, with a third wall built out parallel with the bank in the direction of the flow.
In 1718, Davies remarried, being styled as Honourable Shipbuilder in Leith. At his death in 1723 he left his family of three daughters and a son (who died in childhood) his yard, a small vessel worth Scots £300, and property in Leith.
Written by MIKE CHRIMES
This text is an extract from A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland, published by ICE in 2002. Beginning with what little is known of the lives of engineers such as John Trew who practised in the Tudor period, the background, training and achievements of engineers over the following 250 years are described by specialist authors, many of whom have spent a lifetime researching the history of civil engineering.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.