James Fisher has a long history from its roots in the 19th century Barrow haematite trade to the dynamic marine services company of today.
Originally founded in 1847 in Barrow-in-Furness, the company was started by James Fisher who created a fleet of ships to transport iron-rich haematite from the Cumbrian hills to support the Industrial Revolution. By the 1870s Fishers was the largest coasting fleet in the UK and was moving with the times in the 1880s with the addition of the first steamers to the fleet. Over the decades the firm not only shipped basic bulk goods, such as stone and grain, around the coast, but also built up a reputation for handling heavy and abnormal loads – from railway locomotives and gun mountings for warships to power generators and shipments for the nuclear industry. Later trade also saw the Fisher fleet sailing to more distant destinations.
Through these many changes the company has operated a varied fleet of vessels, latterly focussing on coastal tankships, heavy lift Ro Ro vessels, nuclear fuel carriers, cableships, and a dive support vessel. Recent growth has been based on sound management and financial strength. Since 2001, under the direction of our Chairman Tim Harris, we have steadily increased the range of marine services which now provide nearly 50% of our income. We have built on the experience and expertise gained through 150 years of operating in the marine environment to make the transition from shipowner into provider of marine and specialist technical services of the highest quality.
A full history “Round The Coast And Across the Sea” by Nigel Watson was commissioned in 2000 to celebrate the millennium and the 150th anniversary of the company and is available from St Matthews Press.