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WO M E N
WO R K E R S
The appearance of women as labourers and metal workers in the
shipyards was a dramatic development (women had always worked
in shipbuilding, but as tracers and French polishers). By the end of
1916 it was calculated that about 1,800 women were employed in the
Clyde yards and that about 1,000 were employed as labourers.Among
the men there was considerable fear that this was the beginning
of a permanent change in the pattern of employment. It is more
difficult to establish if the women had corresponding hopes of careers
in shipbuilding.
F R OM L AU N DE R I NG T O L A BOU R I NG
Relatively few of the women were of independent means or from
well-to-do homes. Those who were not wives of soldiers or working
men were principally women who, owing to the enlistment of brothers
or other male relatives, had, by both the freedom from housekeeping
duties and the need of augmenting the household income,entered into
the labour market.
The work done by women in the shipyards included:attending plate-
rolling and joggling machines; back-handing angle-irons; flanging;
fitting; upholstering and polishing; Drillers’ and Caulkers’ assistants;
Plumbers’ assistants; Platers’ helpers; rivet heaters; holders-on; crane
drivers; catch girls; plate furnace firers; general labourers – such as
gathering scrap and cleaning up vessels in construction.