Founder John H. Dialogue | Founded 1991 | |
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Dialogue & Company was a shipbuilding firm located in Camden, New Jersey. It was founded by John H. Dialogue who was born in 1828.
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National Iron Armor and Shipbuilding Company
In 1858 Dialogue moved to Kaighn’s Point in Camden and in 1862, with several partners, founded the National Iron Armor and Shipbuilding Company, which opened a year later. The first boat to be built at the shipyard was the screw-driven Lookout of 25 tons.
River Iron Works, Dialogue & Wood proprietors
In 1870 the shipyard was renamed River Iron Works, Dialogue & Wood, proprietors. The first boat to be built at this facility was the 48 ton screw-driven Frank G. Fowler. On the death of Mr. Wood, Mr. Dialogue took over control of the business.
Growth of the shipyard
By the late 19th century, the shipyard grew to 34 acres (140,000 m2) with 2,000 feet (610 m) of waterfront, employing up to 800 workers. The shipyard produced numerous tugboats for the civilian market as well as for the U.S. Navy. In 1871 the shipyard was building iron vessels ordered by the Revenue Marine department, such as the United States Steamship Colfax. In 1876 she participated in the restoration of the USS Constitution. In 1878 she commenced building compound engine tugboats. And, during the Spanish–American War, the shipyard completed and launched the United States Navy gunboat Princeton, which was sent to the Caribbean and was decommissioned in 1919.
Forced out of business
John H. Dialogue died in 1898, and his son, John H. Dialogue, Jr., took over the business and ran it until just prior to World War I when he was forced out of business.