Whyte, Thomson, and Co.

WHYTE, THOMSON, & Co., Nautical Instrument Makers and Compass Adjusters, 144, Broomielaw. Works:—Harmony Row, Govan, Glasgow.

    In a city in which the shipping and shipbuilding interests are of such paramount importance, it will readily be conceded that the business of the compass adjuster, binnacle constructor, and general nautical instrument maker is one the importance and value of which cannot easily be over-estimated nor surpassed. Foremost, both in respect of antiquity of establishment and magnitude of business connection, among the many Scotch houses similarly engaged must be ranked the well-known firm of Messrs. Whyte, Thomson, and Co., of Broomielaw, Glasgow, and Neptune Works, Harmony Row, Govan.

    This firm dates back in its foundation to the latter part of the last, or beginning of the present, century. The business was established originally in Greenock by David Heron, grandfather of the present Mr. Whyte, and removed, in the year 1827, to Glasgow, which about that period began to give faint indications of the magnificent rank she was destined to assume among the cities of the world. Owing to the admirable administration and conduct of Messrs. Whyte, Thomson, and Co’s. business, a very marked development has constantly been taking place, and at the present day there is probably not one corner of the civilized globe — where nautical matters are understood — that cannot claim acquaintance with the name of the great Glasgow firm under review. The premises in Broomielaw comprise a splendidly spacious warehouse heavily stocked with all descriptions of nautical instruments, including ships compasses in great variety, binnacles, adjusting instruments, palinuruses, verifiers, log glasses, fog horns, etc., etc. The premises are elegantly appointed in mahogany and ebony-gold background, the whole presenting a most interesting and attractive appearance.

    The works in Govan are admirably equipped with all the most approved appliances, plant and machinery, and every facility is afforded for the rapid and expeditious execution of all work engaged in. The firm here manufacture such items as cabin and engine-room lamps, steam pressure gauges, steam vacuum gauges, compound steam gauges, engine counters, engine indicators, lamps of all kinds, and cabin fittings of various descriptions, and everything is made from the raw material. A staff of seventy skilled mechanics is employed, including four compass adjusters constantly employed; and the quality of the work turned out will bear comparison with that of any similarly employed firm in the world. Only the very finest material is used in manufacture, and the quality of the workmanship needs no commendation at our hands.

    The firm by its exhibits secured the silver medal at Edinburgh, 1886, and the diploma — the highest award — at Glasgow in 1888. The trade of the firm is widespread, attracting buyers from all the leading ports of the world. As chronometer makers to the Admiralty, a valuable connection, too, is maintained, and from every point of view it must be admitted that Messrs. Whyte, Thomson, and Co., in their special department of enterprise, occupy a pre-eminent position, and one the value and importance of which receives, year by year, the most distinct and gratifying augmentation and enhancement both in the home markets and abroad. The firm also fits out the Cunard Line, Donald Currie and Co., British India, Orient, Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand, the Donaldson Line, etc., etc.

    Whyte’s patent Standard Compass, since its introduction about five years ago, has been a pronounced success, the specialities of which consist in its accuracy, steadiness in rough weather, and quickness of motion in smooth water, and the deviations are reduced to a minimum by mechanical means, and the errors are practically nil and no change of deviation when changing from a north to south altitude, or vice versa. This compass is now being fitted to all the leading cargo and passenger steamers now being built, and there is not another instrument in the market to compare with it.

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