John Esplen
Encyclopedia
Sir John Esplen, 1st Baronet KBE
(1863 – 7 February 1930) was an English
shipbuilder.
Esplen was born in Liverpool
, the son of William Esplen, consulting engineer
and naval architect. He was educated at Liverpool College and then joined the Liverpool engineering firm of Fawcett Preston, afterwards transferring to Earles' Shipbuilding Co of Hull
. He then became a partner in his father's firm and helped to establish branches in London
, Cardiff
, Buenos Aires
, New York City
and Montevideo
. He became chairman of Esplen & Sons Ltd of Liverpool and Esplen, Son & Swainston Ltd of London, and was a director
of many other shipbuilding and shipping companies. During the First World War he served as Director of Oversea Ship Purchase at the Ministry of Shipping, and continued as Chief Professional Adviser into the 1920s. For his work for the Ministry of Shipping he was appointed Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in 1918 and created a Baronet
in the June 1921 civil service honours.
His name lives on in Esplen Avenue, Crosby
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1863 – 7 February 1930) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
shipbuilder.
Esplen was born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, the son of William Esplen, consulting engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and naval architect. He was educated at Liverpool College and then joined the Liverpool engineering firm of Fawcett Preston, afterwards transferring to Earles' Shipbuilding Co of Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
. He then became a partner in his father's firm and helped to establish branches in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
. He became chairman of Esplen & Sons Ltd of Liverpool and Esplen, Son & Swainston Ltd of London, and was a director
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of many other shipbuilding and shipping companies. During the First World War he served as Director of Oversea Ship Purchase at the Ministry of Shipping, and continued as Chief Professional Adviser into the 1920s. For his work for the Ministry of Shipping he was appointed Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in 1918 and created a Baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
in the June 1921 civil service honours.
His name lives on in Esplen Avenue, Crosby
Crosby, Merseyside
Crosby is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England. Historically part of Lancashire it is situated north of Bootle, south of Southport, Formby and west of Netherton-History:...
.