Northam is a suburb of Southampton in Hampshire. On the West bank of the River Itchen, it shares borders with St Mary's, Bitterne and Bevois Valley. Beside the border with St Mary's is the Chapel area, which has been home to some recent apartment building developments in Northam. The A3024 road runs through the suburb and crosses the Northam Bridge, which links Northam with Bitterne via Bitterne Manor. Although St Mary's Stadium takes its name from the neighbouring St Mary's, the stadium itself is in Northam, and home to Southampton F.C. History In 1549 it was decided that the inhabitants of Northam had no rights of common over Southampton Common. A map of the area from 1560 shows a building on the site of what is now the Old Farmhouse pub. An engraving in the brickwork dates part of the buildings to 1611. Northam shipyard was established in 1693 after John Winter purchased the Manor of Northam for that purpose. The first Northam Road Bridge was built in 1796. The original bridge was made of wood. During Victorian times, much of Southampton's industry was based around the banks of the Itchen From 1840 Northam was home to the Northam iron works owned (along with Millbrook foundry) by Summers and Day. The first ship was launched from the yard 14 October 1840. Named Pride of the waters (later Ruby) the ship was noted at the time to be the first ship to be constructed from iron in the various shipyards of the river Itchen. Shortly afterwards (by 1842) John Rubie opened a third shipyard just downstream of the Summers and Day yard. Steamship companies (such as the White Star Line and the Cunard Line) were major employers in the district in the early 20th century. Over 350 Northam residents died aboard RMS Titanic when it foundered off the coast of Newfoundland in 1912; 125 students at one school alone were orphaned. In the early to mid 20th century the road bridge was rebuilt and strengthened, reopening in 1954. In 1957 Southampton city council began the construction of a housing estate that including the 16 floor Millbank House tower. The tower was opened 1 November 1960 by the Mayor of Southampton and was re-clad in 1988 in aluminium. At the same time the balconies were enclosed. Construction of the wider estate finished in 1965. In 1965, further work was undertaken on the