ABSTRACT
Elswick grew out of the interactions between technological innovation and the political circumstances. At the broadest level Elswick's history is part of the grand narrative of the imperialism of industrialism capitalism, the relentless spread of commerce and technology which began with the Crimean War. The high capital costs of the armaments business necessitated that Elswick transform itself from a partnership into a joint-stock, limited liability company. The Naval Defence Act revealed the degree to which the government depended on Elswick for guns and mountings, which violated its political instinct for competition. The British government was the most important factor in the growth of Elswick between 1859 and 1863 and again after 1889. Until 1914, Elswick held a premier place in the British naval-industrial complex. Elswick remained committed to supplying Britain with the best defence possible and acceding to the government policies and demands for technological leadership and patriotism.
