The SS Daphne was a small vessel, of 460 tons, intended to carry passengers and cargo from Glasgow to Ireland. 124 shipyard workers died, including a number of boys, when the steamship capsized as it was launched from Alexander Stephen and Sons Linthouse yard in Govan on 3rd July 1883. Two hundred workers were on board during the launch ready to begin finishing the ship when it was towed to the neighbouring fitting-out dock. Most were trapped in the hull. This was the worst disaster on the River Clyde.
Many of the victims were buried in Craigton Cemetery, where there is a memorial. The hull of the Daphne was later recovered, completed and brought into service with a different name. The disaster is described in the Fairfield Heritage centre that occupies the former shipyard offices.
