In about 1852 in Port Glasgow, The Inch Shipyard of Laurence Hill & Co. began ship-building operations. In 1870 the operating partnership became Cunliffe & Dunlop, a partnership of James L. Cunliffe and David John Dunlop. Cunliffe left in 1881 and the business became David J. Dunlop & Co. by this time they were making engines—primarily, but not exclusively, marine engines—at the Inch Works. Dunlop died in 1911 and Donald Bremner took over, operating as Dunlop, Bremner & Co., Ltd. The business was acquired by Lithgows Ltd., and was shut down (at least for a time) in 1926, and then in 1932 was acquired by National Shipbuilders Security Ltd.

Information Sources

• 1902 Transactions of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland, Volume 45 lists members, including "Dunlop, David John, Inch works, Port Glasgow", member since 23 November 1869. The 1907 edition also lists him as a member.
• 1992 book, The Shipbuilding Industry: A Guide to Historical Records.

  DUNLOP, BREMNER & CO LTD
  Inch Works, Port Glasgow, Strathclyde
  History: The business began in about 1852 at Port Glasgow, Strathclyde, as the Inch shipyard of Laurence Hill & Co, operating from 1870 as Cunliffe & Dunlop. In 1881 James L. Cunliffe retired from the partnership which subsequently traded as David J Dunlop & Co. When Dunlop died in 1911 the business was taken over by Donald Bremner and Dunlop, Bremner & Co Ltd was incorporated as a limited liability company. Acquired by Lithgows Ltd in 1919, the yard was closed due to shortage of orders in 1926 and was acquired by National Shipbuilders Security Ltd in 1932.
  Business: Builders of merchant ships up to 420ft and marine engineers.
  Records: Business Record Centre, Glasgow University Archives, Glasgow G12 8QQ...

• Grace's Guide page on David John Dunlop. They also have pages on Cunliffe & Dunlop and David J. Dunlop & Co.