Search results

View of the tanker ?Thorshavn? afloat on the River Wear after launch by J.L. Thompson & Sons, 21 November 1949 (TWAM ref. DS.JLT/4/PH/1/661/3/3). This set celebrates the achievements of the famous Sunderland shipbuilding firm Joseph L. Thompson & Sons. The company?s origins date back to 1846 when the firm was known as Robert Thompson & Sons. Robert Thompson senior died in 1860, leaving his second son Joseph Lowes Thompson in control. In 1870 the shipyard completed its last wooden vessel and was then adapted for iron shipbuilding. By 1880 the firm had expanded its operations over much of North Sands and in 1884 completed the construction of Manor Quay, which served as fitting out and repair facilities. For many years in the late nineteenth century the yard was the most productive in Sunderland and in 1894 had the fourth largest output of any shipyard in the world. The Depression affected the firm severely in the early 1930s and no vessels were launched from 1931 to 1934. However, during those years the company developed a hull design giving greater efficiency and economy in service. During the Second World War the prototype developed by Joseph L. Thompson & Sons proved so popular that it was used by the US Government as the basis of over 2,700 Liberty ships built at American shipyards between 1942 and 1945. After the War the North Sands shipyard went on to build many fine cargo ships, oil tankers and bulk carriers. Sadly the shipyard closed in 1979, although it briefly reopened in 1986 to construct the crane barge ITM Challenger. (Copyright) We're happy for you to share these digital images within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums | FlickR

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

Launch of the 'Eidanger'

Description

View of the tanker ?Eidanger? afloat on the River Wear after launch, built by Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd, 1 July 1938 (TWAM ref. DS.LG/4/PH/3/1 pg23). Tyne & Wear Archives is proud to present a selection of images from its Sunderland shipbuilding collections. The set has been produced to celebrate Sunderland History Fair on 7 June 2014. It's a reminder of the thousands of vessels launched on the River Wear and the many outstanding achievements of Sunderland?s shipyards and their workers. These photographs reflect Sunderland?s history of innovation in shipbuilding and marine engineering from the development of turret ships in the 1890s through to the design for SD14s in the 1960s. The Sunderland shipbuilding collections are full of fascinating stories. Some of these are represented in this set, such as the ?Rondefjell?, launched in two halves on the River Wear by John Crown & Sons Ltd and then joined together on the River Tyne. The set also shows the vital part that Sunderland?s shipbuilding industry played during the First World War. William Doxford & Sons Ltd built Royal Naval destroyers such as HMS Opal, which served in the Battle of Jutland, while other yards constructed cargo ships to help keep these shores supplied. (Copyright) We're happy for you to share these digital images within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums | FlickR

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

The ambulance ship 'Geneva Cross' seen from South Wharf

Description

Reproduction ID: H4170 Maker: Unknown Date: 1894

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

Royal Museums Greenwich | FlickR

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

Refurbishing tug boats at Bill Quay

Description

A view of former US Army tugs being refurbished at the ship-repair yard of RB Harrison and Son at Bill Quay, 3 August 1950 (TWAM ref. DT.TUR/2/5192B). The tug boats had been acquired by France Fenwick and were being refurbished before being sent to the River Wear as Ryhope, Cornhill and Grangetown. (Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk. To purchase a hi-res copy please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk quoting the title and reference number.

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums | FlickR

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

Towing 'Empire Clough' to the fitting out quay

Description

View of the cargo ship ?Empire Clough? being towed to the fitting out quay after launch at the shipyard of John Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields, 2 April 1942 (TWAM ref. 1061/1042). This set celebrates the achievements of the shipyard of John Readhead & Sons. The firm has played a significant role in the North East?s illustrious shipbuilding history and the development of South Shields. The company began in 1865 when John Readhead, a shipyard manager, entered into business with J Softley at a small yard on the Lawe at South Shields. Following the dissolution of the partnership in 1872, it continued as John Readhead & Co on the same site until 1880 when the High West Yard was purchased. After Readhead?s four sons were taken into the business in 1888 the company traded as John Readhead & Sons becoming a limited company in 1908. In 1968 the company was absorbed by the Swan Hunter Group and in 1977 became part of the nationalised British Shipbuilders. In the same year the last vessel was launched and the site was sold off in 1984. Readheads was prolific and built over 600 ships from 1865 to 1968, including 87 vessels for the Hain Steamship Company Ltd and over forty for the Strick Line Ltd. The shipyard also built four ships for the Prince Line, founded by Sir James Knott. The firm built vessels, which were involved in the major conflicts of the Twentieth Century. During the First World War they built patrol vessels and ?x? lighters (motor landing craft used in the Gallipoli campaign) for the Admiralty. During the Second World War the firm built tankers for the Normandy Landings. (Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums | FlickR

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

Training Ship 'Wellesley' on fire at North Shields

Description

Subjects

License

No known copyright restrictions

Site sourced from

http://api.flickr.com/services/feeds/photos_public.gne?id=29295370@N07&lang=en-us&format=rss_200

Attribution

Click to get HTML | Click to get attribution | Click to get URL

All metadata

See all metadata

Training Ship 'Wellesley' on fire at North Shields

Description

Postcard of the Training Ship 'Wellesley' on fire at North Shields, 11 March 1914 (TWAM ref. DX1305/1/1). The vessel was destroyed by the blaze. It served as an industrial school for destitute boys. The postcard is unused. This set celebrates the many postcards in our collections. The people, places and events they show can give us an insight into the past, documenting the landscape, the fashions, the way we lived. Some postcards are unused but others tell us something about the people who bought them, through the messages they wrote. They can give us a fascinating glimpse into people?s lives. (Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.

Subjects