John Johnson jr, Thomas Johnson, and Sprinch blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Old Quay Yard. This area was originally important because of the 'Sprinch', a brook that was the town's water supply. It flowed into the River Mersey near this spot. The original ferry service, which began in 1178, operated from this area to Woodend in Widnes. Ship building here since at least 1802, with facilities owned by, amongst others, Johnson Bros., Speakman & Sons, Stubbs, and perhaps most famously, Dennis Brundrit who once lived in South Bank House on Lord Street. Shipbuilding ended here in the 1890s with the building of the Manchester Ship Canal, but ship repair and boat building continued until 2003. Today the site of The Deck residential complex. Recorded plaque organisation: Runcorn Heritage.

John Johnson Jr. and Thomas Johnson were part of Johnson Bros., a company that operated shipbuilding facilities in Old Quay Yard, contributing significantly to the local maritime industry from at least 1802 until the late 19th century.