It was during this period that the company’s workforce peaked at around 35, 000 people, that’s quite a number compared to Belfast’s population of 425, 000.
(There’s a commemorative statue to him in the grounds of City Hall) During WW 2 the shipyard was at its busiest, during this period alone they built 6 aircraft carriers, 2 cruisers (including HMS Belfast) and 131 other naval ships they also repaired over 22, 000 vessels. For a little history brief… In 1861 Edward Harland set up his soon to be famous company Harland & Wolff. The towers are also synonymous with another one of Belfast’s most famous claims to fame, the fact that the Titanic was built in this very shipping yard.Īs noted in previous reviews, H &W are as synonymous with Belfast as soda bread, sectarianism and spides (like), but unlike the last two, Samson and Goliath are an incredibly proud and important part of Belfast’s ship building past. It signalled that one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers was to expand at a time when the country’s Troubles were raging, and when inward investment was at a low. The announcement that they were to be built was seen as an important event at the time. At the time Harland & Wolff remained one of the largest shipbuilders in the world, the yard closed down some years later. Goliath stands 96 metres ( 315 ft) tall, while Samson is taller at 106 metres ( 348 ft). Goliath was completed in 1969 and Samson in 1974. Sampson and Golliath, as they’re also known are situated in the shipyard of Harland & Wolff and were constructed by the German engineering firm Krupp.
It’s nice to have landmarks that are synonymous with a city and whilst the Harland & Wolff Cranes aren’t particularly elegant, they are an imposing and distinctive part of Belfast’s skyline.
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