Biography:

Son of William Cramp, the founder of Cramp's Shipbuilding.  In 1830 William Cramp established his shipbuilding firm on the Delaware River, first in Kensington and then in a larger facility in Port Richmond.  The shipyard grew to become one of the most important in the United States, constructing wood, ironclad, iron, and eventually steel ships.  While the senior Cramp remained president of the firm for forty-nine years until his death in 1879, his sons were all brought into the business, particularly Charles, a full partner.