great old video of the tyne ferry

[eddieg]

Here's another one from the same bloke

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/321 ... 3c3b_b.jpg

[malaymac]

Another great photo Edd, and yours too, Pilot.

Pilot, you may be able to help out here and correct me if I'm wrong, but when the super tankers like Esso Northumbria were launched and later when leaving the river, they had 10 tugs in attendance.

I can still remember seeing the enormous super structure of the accomodation block and funnel as it passed the Lawe Top and into full view of a big crowd down by the piers. What an incredible sight.

[Jarrow Pete]

I can still remember seeing the enormous super structure of the accomodation block and funnel as it passed the Lawe Top and into full view of a big crowd down by the piers. What an incredible sight.

Thats my memory of my first view of the Esso Northumbria. Could not get down the coast road because of the traffic so watched from cliff tops at the velvet beds.

[baldy.smith]

My brother worked for Esso, and Esso Northumbria was one of their many ships
which he served on. He was with Esso until he retired.

[Pilot]

I'm not sure about how many tugs 10 seems a little over the top but if you mean when she was launched maybe as the tugs in those days were not very powerful and it was a difficult job getting hold of a ship during lauching. When she sailed I doubt there was more than four or five tugs involved.

[comeonthen]

comeonthen

[jimmywizz]

great photos

[eddieg]

Smashing photo's.Here's another one from me mate.He's digitising his slide collection and keeps iving me discs with pics on.He's got a lot of stuff from the wear with tugs etc. on.

[malaymac]

Fantastic photo's and thanks so much for posting them.

I had forgotten just how much bigger the old ferry was compared to today's vessel.

It's just amazing how busy the dry docks were in those days with some of the berths having 2 or 3 vessels, side by side.

The last one, showing the train by that terminus/turntable thing, is right by the partly seen fitting shop at Breigham & Cowan's where I did my apprenticeship.
Also, the partly seen crane by the white ship in no.1 dock, well let me tell you, that was a very scary experience when we sometimes had to go up that thing.
And much more frightening was if anything had to be seen to up the jib. Absolutely terrifying experience working up there.

Is it possible to put dates to these ?

The last one judging the British Rail logo and more modern tugs in the background, could be mid seventies ?

[comeonthen]

1. 60s
2. 60s
3. 60s
4. 50s
5. 40s
6. early 1900s
7. early 1900s
8. late 1800s
I do not know the date of pilots picture. It is a good one though.
comeonthen

[Pilot]

I think two of the tugs shown are the Ironsider and Northsider which came into service in 1967 my guess is the picture is around that time late sixties maybe into very early 70s.

[baldy.smith]

I remember going on the paddle ferries as a kid. We used to cross the river
regularly to visit my grandparents at Wallsend. They lived opposite the entrance
to what became Swan Hunters Shipyard, on Neptune Road.

First day after I passed my driving test (1956) I had to drive a van to Ashington
and back, there was snow and ice everywhere. Getting on and of the ferry was
a nightmare, especially as the handbrake on the van didn't work properly, and
the tyres were bald, no MOT's in those days.

[Pilot]

The stern of the Leda can be seen at TCQ and she was laid up in 1974 so the picture is from before that. The ship in Brighams dock is one of Holder Brothers i think.

[malaymac]

Holder Brothers, were they a local company ?

A bit down the coast I know, but I think Ropners were from Hartlepool.

I believe Huntings and Common Brothers were local and Stag Line had an office in North Shields, but I'm trying to think of other local shipping companies.

Can anyone help out with a comprehensive list ?

[malaymac]

I think two of the tugs shown are the Ironsider and Northsider which came into service in 1967 my guess is the picture is around that time late sixties maybe into very early 70s.

Pilot, were those tugs operated by Batey's ? and then later they merged with tugs based at the River Wear.
I think they had an office in the corner of the Market Place, near the Commando, where some steps went down towards the ferry landing.
Does that sound right?

[Pilot]

Holder brothers were based in London, one famous company from Newcastle was Stephenson Clarke, Common Brothers, my old company were based on Newcastle Quayside in Exchange Buildings close to the Tyne Bridge. You can still see the Stag Line logo on the building in North Shields.

[Pilot]

All the local tug companies merged to form Tyne Tugs Limited by the 1960s as far as I can remember, later all the tugs on the Wear and Blyth were withdrawn and Tyne Tugs sent round tugs when needed.

[malaymac]

Holder brothers were based in London, one famous company from Newcastle was Stephenson Clarke, Common Brothers, my old company were based on Newcastle Quayside in Exchange Buildings close to the Tyne Bridge. You can still see the Stag Line logo on the building in North Shields.

Stephenson Clarke, did they operate the coal carriers up and down the east coast ?
I've probably seen them many times but cannot remember any names of the vessels.
Did they have a black funnel with a silver band around it ?

[Pilot]

Yes they owned colliers mainly. When the north east coal mines were shut down their remaining ships started to trade world wide as bulk carriers. Later ships were Storrington, Durrington, to name just two.

[malaymac]

Yes they owned colliers mainly. When the north east coal mines were shut down their remaining ships started to trade world wide as bulk carriers. Later ships were Storrington, Durrington, to name just two.

Thanks Pilot, glad you're onboard, I really miss some of the seafaring news and stuff.

I know it didn't go too well last week, but are you going to the game today ? Or watching the Hartlepool match on tv ?