The Turn of the 20th Century

Laurence Odie's carpenters shed is destroyed by a fire, all while William Moore arrives in Shetland from Orkney.

After working as a blacksmith for Irvine's of Boddam, Moore arrived in Scalloway to work in partnership with Laurence Dalgleish in sheds at West Shore, Scalloway. He would then be joined by his 12 year old son in 1910 to start William Moore and Son.

Laurence Odie passed away in the Summer of 1910 and the Malakoff yard would be acquired by Lerwick's businessman, John W Robertson. He would go on to build carpenters workshops, a net store and a ship chandlery store. The workshops would be equipped with modern equipment such as air compressors and pneumatic tools. The whole premises were lit by electricity from a private generator. The entirety was ahead of its time. 

The first engines were installed on sailboats just before the start of the First World War, something that required the engineering expertise of the Moore family. Jack Moore, the son of William, showed an exceptional aptitude and talent. All of the Shetland motor fleet were engined by William Moore and Son.