King Iron Works, Samuel Gibson, Gibson & Cox, Buffalo NY

Samuel Gibson was a builder of wooden ships who made the transition to iron and steam with the assistance of King Iron Works. His shipyard appears to have changed hands several times, having previously been Woodward & Warner (1857-1859), O. B. Woodward (1860-1861), Hitchcock & Gibson (1861-1870) and finally Gibson & Craig (1870-1876). It was said to have been on the west side of the Evans Ship Canal and this may have been where he built wooden ships, but when he transitioned to iron ships, he apparently built them in the facility operated by King Iron Works, which occupied a whole block on the west side of Chicago Street, between Miami and the waterfront. Confusingly, some of the ships Gibson built are listed as having been built by King Iron Works: presumably, some customers felt more secure doing business with King as the prime contractor. Exactly who built what in the table below is far from clear: if anyone can help straighten it out or otherwise add to it, please email info@navalmarinearchive.com.

Most recent update: 6 June 2018.