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This was the shipyard of Alexander Stephens and Sons, opening in 1870 when the company relocated from the Kelvinhaugh Slipdock and yards on the east coast to Govan. It was west of the Fairfield Shipyard. The berths were on the south bank of the River Clyde and faced downriver. Opposite were those of the Clydeholm Shipbuilding Yard on the north bank. Unlike the neighbouring Fairfield Shipyard there was no fitting out basin, but there was a fitting out quay adjoining the site to its west.

The shipyard was rail served with use made of the street tramways running west along Renfrew Road to reach Shieldhall Goods. Originally the railway connection was considerably longer and ran east on street tramways, along Govan Road, to reach Govan. Approval for use of locomotives on street tramways was given in 1876.

In 1962 the company bought Simon-Lobnitz Ltd in order to bring dredger building work to the Linthouse. To expand the ship repair part of the company in 1963 the Govan Shipbuilding Yard's basin, cranes and shop were bought and in 1967 the Govan Graving Docks, adjoining the basin, were bought from the Clyde Port Authority.

The shipyard built its last ship in 1968 when Upper Clyde Shipbuilders was created. The shipyard officially closed in 1971 when Upper Clyde Shipbuilders collapsed. The engine works was to remain open for some time.

Today the office block on Holmfauld Road survives (this was in the east of the site) and the former engine works has been relocated to the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.

The yard was built on the site of the Linthouse, a large house on the south bank of the Clyde. The house survived within the works as offices, located between the berths and main buildings, for many years. It was demolished in 1921 but the portico was retained and relocated to the north west corner of Elder Park.

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