Smiths of England Milestones Series No. 9
Hughes of Fenchurch Street
In 1780, William Hughes, a prominent figure in the Clockmakers’ Company whose family had been connected with horology for some fifty years, interested himself in chronometer construction. History tells us that he supplied a chronometer to Captain Bligh of the “Bounty.” Early in the next century Mr. Joseph Hughes started making nautical instruments of the finest kind then known. Later, in 1833, Henry Hughes founded the world-famous firm of Henry Hughes & Son Ltd., now so appropriately associated with the Smiths group of companies. He it was who opened the shop at 59 Fenchurch Street, in the City of London, which for more than a hundred years has supplied the needs of navigators, explorers, and others connected with the sea. The firm has tremendously increased its productive capacity and today instruments made by the Barkingside factory are found as standard equipment on ships and aircraft the world over.
S. Smith & Sons (England) Ltd
Motor: Smiths Motor Accessories Ltd., K.L.G. Sparking Plugs Ltd., British Jaeger Instruments Ltd.. Petro Flex Tubing Co. Ltd., Smiths Jacking Systems Ltd.
Clocks & Watches: Smiths English Clocks Ltd., Enfield Clock Co. (London) Ltd., English Clock Systems Ltd., A.B.E.C. Ltd., British Precision Springs Ltd.
Aviation & Marine: Smiths Aircraft Instruments Ltd., Henry Hughes & Son Ltd., Marine Instruments Ltd., Furzehill Laboratories Ltd.
Industrial: Smiths Industrial Instruments Ltd, A.T. Instruments Ltd., David Harcourt Ltd.