Billhead of Neafie & Levy Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, PA

Billhead of Neafie & Levy Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, PA. Neafie & Levy was one of the earliest iron shipbuilders and the chief rival to William Cramp in 19th-century Philadelphia. In 1844, Thomas Reaney, Jacob Neafie and William Smith formed a partnership to build fire engines, boilers and stationary steam engines. That same year, they launched four iron steamboats for export to South America. Smith died in 1845, and Capt. John P. Levy joined the firm. In 1859, Reaney left the firm. Neafie & Levy operated until 1907. The shipyard was located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, on land now occupied by a Philadelphia Electric power plant.

Associated People/Businesses

• NEAFIE / LEVY, John P. Captain

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Shipbuilding
• Steamboats
• 19th century

Physical Location