Shipbuilding

I have been collecting them since the sad news of the demise of shipbuilders on the river.

I don't think there is a person connected with the sea and the River Tyne in this country and worldwide who has not heard of the fame for shipbuilding of Swan Hunters and would ever have thought to see and hear the headlines 'Swan Hunters to close'.

Sunset over Swan Hunter

There appears to be nothing happening to celebrate the 150 years of shipbuilding of Swans, all that seems to matter these days is to flatten the yard as soon as possible for redevelopment to god knows what.

I think it is a great shame if at least one of the smaller cranes is not saved and a small museum formed for future generations to see.

Born near Swans

I am a member of the Wallsend Historical Society and a lot of my pictures are to go to make a session for our next display at the Wallsend Festival 2008.

I never worked at the yards but was born at Joan St (the street with the famous shot of a ship at the bottom of the street), within earshot of riveters hooters and all that went with Swans.

I go down daily to see the progress of the dismantling operations.

At present men are operating on the top of the cabins of the two red ones. They have a pretty precarious journey up, I should imagine, in an open cage hoisted by a mobile crane I think.