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Private company

John Roach & Sons

19th-century American shipbuilding and manufacturing conglomerate

John Roach & Sons was a major 19th-century American shipbuilding and manufacturing firm founded in 1864 by Irish-American immigrant John Roach. Between 1871 and 1885, the company was the largest shipbuilding firm in the United States, building more iron ships than its next two major competitors combined.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1864Founded1
  • Industryshipbuilding1
  • HeadquartersChester1

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John Roach & Sons was a major 19th-century American shipbuilding and manufacturing firm founded in 1864 by Irish-American immigrant John Roach. Between 1871 and 1885, the company was the largest shipbuilding firm in the United States, building more iron ships than its next two major competitors combined.2

The story

Founded by John Roach in 1864.1

Leadership

Who has led John Roach & Sons, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1885Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1864Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

  1. 1
  2. 2