Pile, Spence and Company, was a partnership between John Pile and Joseph Spence. Founded in 1857 Both were already successful shipbuilders. They had two shipyards at West Hartlepool: in Jackson Dock, and was known as the North Yard, and the South Yard in Swainson Dock.
By 1865 its local assets included shipyards and dry docks covering nine acres, the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company and the West Hartlepool Rolling Mills and Blast Furnaces (presumably West Hartlepool Steel and Iron Co). Although the business was successful, the partnership ended in 1866. The bank which the firm used went out of business, so all their money was lost. The liquidators agreed to complete four outstanding contracts and the last of these, the Avon, was launched in 1867. The yards were eventually taken over by Denton, Gray and Co.
Source: https://hhtandn.org and https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
