Founded as Laings of Deptford in 1793, becoming Sir James Laing and Sons in 1898. Became a subsdiary of Sunderland Shipbuilding, Dry Dock & Engineering Co. in 1954 along with John Crown & Sons and Joseph L. Thompson & Sons. Amalgamated with Wm. Doxford & Sons in 1961 as Doxford and Sunderland Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. and fully merged as Doxford and Sunderland Group in 1966 and renamed Sunderland Shipbuilders in 1973. Nationalised in 1975 and transferred to the state owned British Shipbuilders in 1977. The yard closed in 1985.