The harbor and early shipbuilding in Belfast

From the early 1600s Belfast had a port where the rivers Lagan and Farset met.

The port became increasingly important for trade and by the early 1700s was the leading port in the North of Ireland.

The earliest record of ships being built in Belfast is from 1663. Shipbuilding as a major industry began in 1791 when William Ritchie established his works on the Lagan. At this time, ships were built from wood. (The ship model photos from Titanic Belfast museum).