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The article gives a brief overview of the shipbuilding yards on the far or Birkenhead side of the Port River. The journalist begins with Fletcher's yard, and covers Playfair's, Chant's and finishes with William Taylor's. The yards are all on reclaimed land. Henry Fletcher's yard now has two slipways and numerous workshops. He is currently working on the government steamer Governor Musgrave which is undergoing hull cleaning. The Ganymede is also being repaired.

George Playfair's yard is visited next and work on the steam-cutter Amazon is discussed and the model for the Cowry Fishing Company's new boat is examined.

Henry Chant's yard is working on a number of dingheys and a new cutter for the Kangaroo Island trade. Finally William Taylor's yard is visited where a new yacht for Commodore Bundey of the South Australian Yacht Club is being constructed.

Henry Fletcher set up his shipwright's yard in 1849 using the patent slip which had been imported by the South Australian Company in 1836 and lain unused since then. In 1867 he added a second slip, known as the Dunnikier Slip. Fletcher continued to expand his yard and his operations and died in 1912. His slipways passed to the South Australian Harbors Board and later the Adelaide Steamship Company.

William Taylor had established the Government Dockyard in 1850 and worked there for many years before establishing his own yard. He was particularly noted for the fine yachts he designed and built. Taylor died in 1884.

In the 21st century, all that remains of this activity is Searle's Boatyard: this is threatened by the residential development of Newport Quays, as has been nominated by the National Trust for it's Heritage at Risk list.

Fletcher, Henry C.

Taylor, William, d. 1884

Playfair, George

Chant, Henry

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing Exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-