After having joined the firm as apprentice draftsman in 1862 at the age of fifteen, William James PIRRIE became quickly Chief Architect and, in 1874, had been admited in the partnership. After the death of Sir E. J. HARLAND in 1896 and the retirement of G. W. WOLFF in 1906, W. J. PIRRIE became the Chairman, controlling the company.

Under his schedule and direction, the shipyard was modernized from 1906 to 1908. Two slipways enlarged, the n°2 and 3 were built at the place occupied before by 3 slipways. They set up an immense gantry stepping over the two new slipways, the set covering a surface of 252 meters by 72 meters.

The construction of the two new slipways was the continuation to an agreement between Lord W. J. PIRRIE and Joseph Bruce ISMAY, president of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company Ltd, owner and operator of the ships of the great White Star Line.

Since the construction of the first Oceanic in 1871, H. & W. had built the ships of the W. S. L.. Cargos boats and liners, all wore the imprint and illustrated the honesty of the builder and owner. They contributed immensely to make W. S. L. a respected name through the world of the sea.