Anticipating a similar trend in the United States , he decided to establish an iron shipbuilding facility of his own .
Roach had observed that Great Britain was steadily replacing its fleet of wooden - hulled sidewheel steamers with modern iron - hulled , screw - driven steamships .
Anticipating a similar trend in the United States , Roach decided to establish an iron shipbuilding facility of Roach 's own .
Roach had observed that Great Britain was steadily replacing its fleet of wooden - hulled sidewheel steamers with modern iron - hulled , screw - driven steamships .