Records of shipbuilding on the Wear go back over 600 years when in 1346 a Thomas Menville was recorded as building boats on our river. The need for shipbuilding facilities can be demonstrated when in 1824 we already had 24 shipyards which rose rapidly when in 1840 records show they had increased to around 70.
By the mid 1900,s , Wearsiders produced more than a quarter of the U.K's total tonnage.
Despite having all the skills, the 1980's downturn was to bring about our fate when Wearside was unable to compete against world market competition, in particular the Far East. Sadly the last yard on the Wear was to close in 1988.
Do you have any memories of our shipyards.
Sir James Laing , W Doxford and Sons, Austin's, Crowns, R. Thompsons, W Pickersgill and Sons, Sir J. Priestman, Short Bros, Bartram and Sons, J L Thompson.
Interesting Facts:
Austins designed the "D" type, single deck collier.
Austins also produced the "H" type , a 3850 ton deadweight cargo steamer.
3 concrete vessels were built, including the Cretehawser, beached in 1935.
The Rondefjell was built in 2 parts and then joined together.
Women were admitted to Wear shipyards in 1916.
Plans of the SS Dorington Court was the base plans for the Liberty ships.
The Torrens , a passenger clipper was built at Laing shipyard in 1875.
Doxfords, founded by William Doxford in 1840 first built ships at Cox Green.
May 3rd 1985 saw the last launch at Laing,s the Mitla.
Bartram's launched their ships directly into the sea.Want to learn more - SUNDERLAND MARITIME HERITAGE
Sunderland Maritime Heritage
Unit 2
Church Street East
Sunderland
SR1 2BB
Telephone 0191 510 2540
Find out about our Bridges over the River Wear
