Number

No.2024-03

Month of Issue

November 2024

Title

Britain as a Contractor State: Warship contracts as cooperative works between the royal and private shipyards

Author(s)

Shoya Fugetsu

Affiliation(s)

Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University

Keywords

Britain; shipbuilding; contract; state and industry; early modern history

Abstract

This paper examines Britain’s development as a ‘contractor state’ through its reliance on private shipyards for naval shipbuilding during the turn of the eighteenth century. Contrary to previous studies that emphasised the Navy’s reluctance towards outsourcing, the paper reveals that the Navy took a supportive stance, assisting contractors beyond contractual obligations. While private yards faced challenges like labour shortages and impressments, the Navy issued protection tickets and provided resources to ensure timely project completion. Employing the letters of the contractors and other navy records, especially ones relating to the Johnson family’s contracts, the study demonstrates how cooperation, rather than competition, enabled Britain’s rapid expansion of naval capacity. The analysis underscores the Navy’s commitment to private contractors, contributing to a symbiotic relationship that bolstered Britain’s maritime power and economic growth. The findings illustrate the essential role of state intervention in private industry, especially under the pressures of wartime demands.