Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard

Mitsubishi Senshokaku Guest House (1904), Mitsubishi No.3 Dry Dock (1905) and Mitsubishi Giant Cantilever Crane (1909)- Together with Mitsubishi Former Pattern Shop (1898), these component parts are located within the Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard.
The four component parts, all relate to the late Meiji Period when the shipyard and its facilities were greatly expanded to cope with the dramatically increasing shipbuilding capacity, that was triggered by a number of external stimulants and key company decisions such as implementation of laws encouraging shipbuilding in 1896, the electrification of the shipyard from 1897, and the technology introduction of steam turbines from 1904.

Mitsubishi No.3 Dry Dock
(not open to the public)

It was constructed between 1901 and 1905 by utilizing the natural topography of the cove, cutting back into the steep mountainside and building in stone on solid bedrock. The landform scale and design of the dock is indicative of Mitsubishi’s intension to build and repair some of the world’s biggest ships. The dock is the only dry dock from Meiji still in operation at the Shipyard today. Original pumps and motors still perform the function for which they were installed over 100 years ago.

Mitsubishi Giant Cantilever Crane
(not open to the public)

The Giant Cantilever Crane is the first electric-powered crane of its type in Japan, imported from Scotland in 1909, which is the oldest surviving one in operation in the world. It can still lift a load of 150 tons and is used to ship heavy goods.

Mitsubishi Former Pattern Shop
(not open to the public)

The Former Pattern Shop was built in 1898 to produce wooden patterns for castings and is the oldest factory building in the shipyard. It is a two-storied brick building with a timber roof truss. There is a U-shaped rail on the ceiling to transport materials. The building was refurbished to the shipyard’s museum in 1985 and is open to the public (advance reservation only).

Mitsubishi Senshokaku Guest House
(not open to the public)

Senshokaku Guest House was originally designed as a residence of the Shipyard’s Director and was designed by Tatsuzo Sone, who was taught by Josiah Conder at the Imperial College of Engineering. Since its completion in 1904, it has been used as a guesthouse in which to entertain important clients of the shipyard.