The life of William Denny, ship-builder, Dumbarton.By Alexander Balmain Bruce.

The biography of William Denny (1847-1887), born in Dumbarton, the eldest son of Peter Denny, partner in the ship building firm of William Denny and Brothers. Chapters focus on aspects of William Denny's life, including his birth and boyhood, apprenticeship, and admission to the firm as a partner. The author also explores Denny's views on industrial questions of the time, his work as a naval architect and his promotion and use of an experimental tank for testing vessel design. Denny worked on the load-line committee and was also known for his philanthropic work. Further chapters consider Denny's religious beliefs, politics, characteristics and family life. Denny was a director of a subsidiary company La Platense Flotilla, formed with the intention of carrying on a goods and passenger business on the River Plate and its tributaries. Denny visited South America to establish this business, but while there and during protracted negotiations with a competitor, he committed suicide. Much of the text consists of extracts from letters written by Denny to his family, friends and associates.