The boom for shipbuilding occurred in the early part of the 20th century, fueled by the demand for warships and ship repair yards. It was also the only method of intercontinental travel. But the 1920's gave it its steepest decline - with unemployment reaching almost 40% by the end of the decade. It wasn't uncommon for communnites based almost enetirely around shipbuilding to have nearly three-quarters of its entire city in unemployment.
World War II brought with it a revival in shipbuilding, and again with a brief comeback in the 1950's, but by the 1960's the industry had begun to dwindle.
Here are some images from the Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums that give us a small look at the shipbuilding industry (and a look inside a German submarine) from about 1910-1925.
HM floating dock, Medway
Yard no. 867. Inside of dock, looking forward
Date: 1910-1912
Wallsend Slipway: Photograph of the Brass Foundry Department (Core making)
Taken from a photograph album entitled 'War Activities,' Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company Limited’s Collection.
Date: 1914 - 1918
Wallsend Slipway: Photograph of the Iron Foundry Department (Machine moulding)
Taken from a photograph album entitled 'War Activities,' Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company Ltd. Collection
Date: 1914 - 1918
Wallsend Slipway: Oil burning installations in course of erection
Taken from the The Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company Limited’s Collection
Date: February 1924
Wallsend Slipway: Worker operating a turbine blading machine
Taken from the The Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company Limited’s Collection
Date: December 1916
S.S.Franconia. Franconia in dock, bow view.
Yard no's. 857, 877
Taken from the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd, Shipbuilders Collection
Date: 1910-1911
German Submarine, UB-110. Photo of Control room looking aft, starboard side
This image shows manhole to periscope wall, valve wheels for flooding and blowing. Hanwheels for periscope gear, air pressure gauges. The UB-110 sunk after attacking a merchant shipping convoy near Hartlepool in July 1918. It was then salvaged and transferred to Swan Hunter Wigham Richardson Ltd. Dry Docks (Wallsend), with an order to restore her to fighting state. The order cancelled following Armistice and she was scrapped thereafter.
Taken from the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. Shipbuilders Collection
Date: November 1918
S.S.Franconia. Upper ‘tween' docks looking forward.
Yard no's. 857, 877
Taken from the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. Shipbuilders Collection
Date: 1910-1911
German Submarine, UB-110. Photograph Looking forward, showing four torpedo tubes
The UB-110 sunk after attacking a merchant shipping convoy near Hartlepool in July 1918. It was then salvaged and transferred to Swan Hunter Wigham Richardson Ltd. Dry Docks (Wallsend), with an order to restore her to fighting state. The order cancelled following Armistice and she was scrapped thereafter.
Date: November 1918
S.S. Giulio Cesare. Luxury class suite – two bedded state room
Taken from the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. Shipbuilders Collection
Date: 1920-1921
S.S. Franconia. First Class single berth state-room
Yard no's. 857, 877
Taken from the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. Shipbuilders Collection
Date: 1910-1911
HM floating dock, Medway
Yard no. 867. Outside of port wall showing landing stage, platform and ladders
Date: 1910-1912
Postcard of a steam tug called Vigilant coming through the swing bridge in Newcastle.
[Via Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Gizmodo, and The BBC]
The Photo titled: S.S.Franconia. Franconia in dock, bow view. Is amazing, would look lovely in my hallway! Thanks for posting!
This is outstanding!!! Absolutely fantastic!
Amazing photos! Quite interesting to see
great article, but the typo in the title is killing me.
I have a newpaper cutting dating back to just after the Franconia was launched of my great Aunt organising and taking part in one of the first ever fashion catwalks on the deck of the ship. It's nice to see other pictures of the Franconia in dock.
Incredible
Agreed... film has so much feeling to it. These are beautiful.