The Sunderland Site Guestbook

362) Excellent site. I've bookmarked it for future reference.
John Osborn, Derbyshire, U.K., Nov. 15, 2017 - john.oz_osborn@yahoo.com.
Webmaster's comment. Am glad that you dropped by, John. And visited one of the few sites today that does not (& never will) subject a visitor to advertising, does not demand a fee for access, or demand your e-mail address. You are simply welcome! And if you have data, knowledge or imagery, related in some way to Sunderland, do be further in touch.

361) Thank you for an interesting article - I am looking for any pictures or deck plans for the Forerunner,  a puddle tug boat that was similar to the Eppelton Hall.
Bryan D. Potgieter, South Africa, Oct. 15, 2017 - potgieterbryan07@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. The article that Bryan refers to is re Eppleton Hall, a 1914 paddle tug that served for many decades & made the long journey from the U.K. to the San Francisco Museum back in 1969. As is set out on this page. Forerunner was also a paddle tug, built 40 years earlier, back in 1874, by Westward Bailey & Company of Poplar in the east end of London. Built for the Natal Government. The tug made the journey from London to Durban, South Africa, & being, I read, 'notoriously slow' took an amazing seven months to get there! Bryan has kindly provided this image of the tug & an article that provides a little of her history. The webmaster is unable to help Bryan with his request. Hopefully there will be site visitors who can come to his assistance.

360) Hello, fascinating site!. I have a small engineering business dating back to 1940 which has in the past supplied fuel oil heating equipment to Sunderland Shipbuilders & predecessors for use on their ships. Probably not important enough to include on your system, but thought I'd get in touch anyway. I'm currently disposing of records from our paper based files & checking, on the way, who is still around - & (mostly) who is not. An example, we supplied equipment to Ship 908, ordered in Aug. 1978 & delivered in Feb. 1979. We go back a long way so that's a later record. We supplied replacement equipment to Ship 909 in 1998, for example. If it's at all of interest let me know & any time I come across a record I'll send you info. Best Regards.
Andrew Waugh, Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 3, 2017 - sales@akwaugh.com. Andrew's website reference is https://akwaugh.com/
Webmaster's comment. I am glad to hear from you, Andrew, & open to the sort of material that you may be able to provide. I must profess, however, to being unclear at this moment as to where exactly it might fit in a site that is devoted to the city of Sunderland & particularly to its shipbuilders. May I suggest that you e-mail me some material that you believe would be of interest. And we will find out together where it may take us. Maybe to a page about suppliers to the Sunderland shipbuilders wherever such suppliers were located.

359) Great site. Just been looking up my uncle Joe Dodd on S S Thistleglen in Jan 1941. He must have changed ships, because he did not go down with that one. Though he once told me he had lost six ships in two world wars. His father, my g'father, had a chemist shop on Roker Ave. at the corner of Stansfield Street. My mother's father was Alderman Bruce, Mayor in 1897/98. He was a grocer & provision merchant, later William Bruce and Sons with premises on Nile Street.
I have a photo of Mr. Dodd at the door of his shop, but no picture of the Bruce grocer shop. If anyone knows where to find such a picture I would be grateful for that information. Thank you for a great site.
Bruce Dodd, Ottawa, Canada, Sep. 28, 2017 - bmdodd@rogers.com
Webmaster's comment. I do hope, Bruce, that a site visitor will be able to provide you with an image of the Bruce grocers' shop on Nile Street in Sunderland.
Bruce references Thistleglen, a 4750, later 4748, ton cargo ship, built by Sir James Laing & Son at Deptford yard in 1929. So far, the vessel is merely named on site with none of its history researched. On Sep. 10, 1941, while en route from New York to Glasgow via Sydney, Nova Scotia, with a cargo of steel & pig iron, the vessel was torpedoed by German submarine U-85 with the loss of three lives. The good news was that 46 survived the attack. Which was at 62.14N/39.29W, or maybe at 61.59N/39.49W, both off the SE coast of Greenland in the North Atlantic. U-boat.net provides extensive detail as to exactly what happened. Hopefully the vessel's history will soon be researched & the vessel be properly listed on site.

358) Do not know if this is of help? John Tillman & his brother Thomas (Architects, of 5 Bridge Street, Sunderland) in 1875 designed for Vaux the Three Horse Shoes Pub in Newcastle Road, also a Farmhouse & Blacksmith Forge in North Hylton. Re-built a pub for them in Silksworth Row in October 1876 - alterations to two houses (Nos 3 & 8 Holmside) for Messrs Vaux in 1882. Alterations & additions to 9 Holmside. Additions to 'Lamb Tavern' in Silksworth Row for C. Vaux & Sons in 1890.
Might have done other, but could not find - they were also the architects for the Museum (which still stands) majority of other buildings destroyed by Hiltler's mob or Council planners!!
P.S. They were the sons of Captain John Tillman, who died in Sulina on the maiden voyage of his new ship Royal Arch. Ship's management also done by sons from Bridge Street.
John Tillman, France, Sep. 23, 2017 - azurity11@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. John, your data is both helpful & welcomed. There will surely be folks who will find such data to be of interest in their own family histories. So I have added your words into the Vaux page here.
John mentions Royal Arch, a 333 ton barque built by Sykes, Talbot & Sykes of North Hylton, in 1868. A detailed history of the vessel is not yet on site - the vessel is, however, briefly referenced here.

357) At first glance it looks like a fascinating site which I will explore at my leisure. John Crown was my great grandfather and I have quite a bit of information on him, Crowns yard, ships built and in particular HMS Ettrick which was launched by my mother in 1943 and about which I have produced a book which relates her complete history as a River Class Frigate on North Atlantic convoy duty. I look forward to studying the site in more detail.
Charles Rowntree, Cumbria, U.K., Sep. 14, 2017 - alaric42@sky.com
Webmaster's comment. Am delighted to hear from you, Charles. I have assembled a modest amount of data about the Crown family & their shipbuilding history in Sunderland - on site page 050. A start has been made on a list of the vessels that they built or were later built at their yard (here & here) but such lists are partial only & so far include just a handful of the total number of ships there were. HMS Ettrick? It is merely named so far on site - in the list of vessels built in 1943. With no detailed history. Clearly I have a way to go! The 'Crown' build list has, since the above was written, been much improved.

356) Hi! I have picked up my family history recently and with my cousin's daughter Kerry Smy have come across this information on my great grandfather Albert Mitchell Spender. We knew he had gone down with all hands but did not know where it was, even the name if the vessel. So thank you so much for the information so far and would love to be included in the history of this to be able to pass this on to my grandchildren. Thank you for helping us to find out about great grandfather.
June V. Hughes, East Anglia, U.K., Sep. 11, 2017 - Nuavalon@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. I have tried to contact June about her message. Will comment further in due course.

355) You asked for further information about the Beatitude. This is what I have found within my family tree. Edward was a great-uncle of my great grandfather. Edward Ealden born 1821, died in 1858 when he was 37 years old. In 1858, he was buried at St. Keverne Cornwall. Drowned with the wreck of the Beatitude on the Manacles. Sorry, I don't have any further information. Regards.
Carole Nowell (neé Ealden), Harrowgate, North Yorkshire, Sep. 10, 2017 - cando20111@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I am glad that you have been in touch, Carole. The vessel in question was built by Peter Austin in 1839. And is now covered on site in some detail here.

354) Can't tell you how much I am enjoying the Sunderland website. Oswald Wilson was my grandfather and Violet Wilson, his daughter, was my mother. My father, William Lacey was manager of the Bromarsh movie theater and had just arrived home after the last show when the bombing occurred. We lived in Cleadon. This was on May 24th, 1943, my 14th birthday. About a month later I went to work at Joplings department store. And worked there for four years before joining the Palestine Police.
Bryan H. Lacey, Peoria/Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A., Aug. 14, 2017 - bhlacey313@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. So glad to hear Bryan, that you enjoy my now not so little little website. Your words, & the similar words of others, encourage me to continue to expand the site day by day. It would be good to find more literature about both Joblings & the Bromarsh theatre.

353) Have inherited the owner's model, Constantine & Pickering, and believe the second model was held by builders, John Blumer of ss Wearwood built 1912. A beautiful scaled down version of vessel in mahogany case. Have researched at Lloyds Register & obtained the ship's full history.
Sue Owen, Kent, U.K., Aug. 14, 2017 - sueowen45@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. You are most fortunate, Sue. Sue's model, a 'half model' with a mirrored back, is amazingly heavy - takes 4 men to lift! Such data as I have located about Wearwood can be read here.

352) Justine Helene. Barque built 1871 was owned by Christian Michael Matzen, Altona (area of Hamburg). This information is shown on the registry of passengers from Hamburg to Australia May 1882.
Kathy Doering, Germany, Jul. 17, 2017 - kathy.doering@web.de
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this, Kathy. I have modified the vessel's listing accordingly. One thing leads to another - thanks to Trove, Australia, some detail re that 1882 voyage to Adelaide, including a passenger list in German, is now available also.

351) Looking for information on M.V. TEAKWOOD built by Laings in the early 1960s. Does anybody know anything about this vessel? Am particularly looking for a general arrangement drawing.
Rowen Baker, Canada, Jul. 4, 2017 - rhbaker25@hotmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Teakwood, built by 'Laing' in 1962 is covered on site here. The only suggestion I have for drawings is that the vessel would seem to have been featured in 'Motor Ship' in 1962 (available as Motor Ship Volume 43). Just possibly vessel plans were attached to the original article. Hopefully you can might locate a copy of Vol. 43 to check - it is not particularly cheap to buy (1, 2). Or find the correct issue of the magazine in 1962 - not cheap either!

350) Looking for information on a Byers Anchor. HMS HURWORTH Hunt Cl. 2, had a Byers anchor. Did HS ADRIAS Hunt Cl. 3 have same ?? Have further info on same should you wish. Regards.
D. A. Feary, March, U.K., Jun. 27, 2017 - dennisafeary@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Am always glad to find new data about Byers Anchors. Alas, I cannot answer your question, Dennis. Perhaps another site visitor can tell us. HMS Hurworth, a destroyer, would seem to have been built in 1941 & lost in 1943. Adrias, also a destroyer, was built in 1942 as Border & broken up in 1945.

349) I have just sent you a photo of the Wychwood's ship builder's brass plate that I recovered several years ago. Thought you might be interested. As you know she wrecked here in Bermuda in 1955. Cheers.
Russell Whayman, Bermuda, May 21, 2017 - russwhayman@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks Russell! I have now extensively modified & improved the existing  Wychwood listing & have now made available your fine image of the builder's plate.

346) I was born at 45 Church Street, Monkwearmouth. My grandparents, Albert & Elizabeth Johnson, had a general dealers at #44. I wondered if anyone has any photographs of the shop. Love this site, very enjoyable.
Linda Simpson nee Stobart, York, U.K., Mar. 7, 2017 - tvryho51@yahoo.ie
Webmaster's comment. I do hope that someone will come forward in response to your request. Alas, I am unable to help.

345) Great site. I joined A&P in 1971 first as an apprentice shipbuilder then caulker burner then the union took up my case and I got changed to a plater, won the apprentice of the year I think in 1975, was allowed to do my B.Sc. at Sunderland then my MBA. I was promoted to foreman mashaller then manager under NESL (North East Shipbuilders Ltd.). I left in 1988 to start my travels around the country. I went back to shipbuilding in 1999 on the Clyde as the outfit manager until BAE Systems took over. I am now retired but still remember all the guys, supervisors and managers......great times. SD14's, B26's, barges, and then the ferries.......
Harry Crosby, West Sussex, U.K. Feb. 25, 2017 - linda-harry@hcrosby.fsnet.co.uk
Webmaster's comment.  So glad that you found the site to be of interest, Harry!  Austin & Pickersgill Limited is covered on site here with links to further data of its predecessor companies.

344) The black and white photo of the church is St. Luke's, Pallion. My parents were married there in 1963. The church is still standing minus the spire. I remember my nana taking me in the 1970s to jumble sales in the church hall and in the summer the rectory gardens were also used.
Allison OBrien, U.K.? Feb. 16, 2017 - arcseventythree@outlook.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Allison. Am glad to have the church at last identified. I have modified the page accordingly. Here.

343) oops! Regarding recent address search my elderly brain dropped the proverbial ball -- I seek a mailing address for RON Lovell of 'Australia' re. barque PRIAM. I am not on line and send this via public library facilities -- a true Luddite at heart. Some years ago I purchased a sea chest at auction which carries a primitive genre painting beneath its lid which appears to be the PRIAM. (Pennant on the masthead actually seems to read PIRAM; was the painter not literate? dyslexic? wrong vessel?) If I can get a mailing or e-mail address, I will try to find someone willing to snap a photo or two and send it your way. Good luck with your research, and again, profound regrets with name error.
Mark Knipping, Kohler, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Feb. 15, 2017 - No e-mail address provided.
Webmaster's comment. Mark, I wrote to Ron Lovell but he has not replied. The good news, perhaps, is that the message was not returned, so likely the address is still active. He may be away from home. I sure would love in some way to get your images onto the site & into Ron's hands. You want a physical address or an e-mail address. Perhaps you might send them to me at glendon2@rogers.com & in your message give me your street address. I will i) put the images on site & ii) pass on your address to Ron Lovell in Australia. Your address will not become public. That should work, I think. Note - Mark has now provided many images re the painting & chest & also a detailed 'pdf' text. 2 images & such text are now available via the Priam listing here.

342) Searching for jim lovell re. Barque PRIAM -- address???
Mark Knipping, Kohler, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Feb. 13, 2017 - No e-mail address provided.
Webmaster's comment. Mark, I never publish the e-mail address of anyone who contacts me directly without their express approval. It was Ron (not Jim) Lovell who was in touch with me some years ago now re Priam. I have written to Ron to invite him to be in contact with you directly, but that appears to be impossible absent your own e-mail address. Contact me if you wish to follow up re this matter.

341) Re Laings ship Ganges 1861. Have the original yard ledger of ships built at Laings. Yard number 243 Ganges, paddle steamer launched '--? June 1861' 250 ft. LBP, 32 ft. BM, 9'-6" DM. all other ships have GRT in ink, Ganges has a '?' 400 in pencil. Owners are Oriental Inland Steamship. The ledger has a note beside it 'Erected - taken to pieces and shipped abroad'.
The following ship from Laings is Earl of Elgin, an iron steamship of 586 GRT launched 12 June 1861 but with no details of owners.
Tom Scott, Weardale, U.K., Feb. 4, 2017 andrew.scott150@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this message, Tom. Your data is of major significance re a paddle steamer about which little seems to be known.
Site visitors should first understand that there were 2 vessels named Ganges built at Sunderland in 1861, i.e. 1) the ship which was built by William Pile covered on site here, the subject of Noel Clark's message immediately below. And 2) the paddle steamer built by Laing, which is really not properly detail listed on site due to lack of data. It is, however, covered here & also on page 145. The final words in the Laing ledger - 'Erected - taken to pieces and shipped abroad' - presumably account for the fact that the vessel was never listed in Lloyd's Register. I have modified my modest text accordingly. Someday, hopefully, data will emerge as to to where, abroad, it was shipped & why it was shipped in pieces. Most likely, I now think, is that it was not possible for a tiny paddle steamer designed to operate on a shallow river to make its way under its own power all the way to India. It may well have been renamed when put into service wherever that was. Just maybe, I now surmise, it was used on the Indus river in Pakistan. For reasons set out here. Need help!

340) Re the wreck of the Ganges in 1881 - the London Evening Standard of 18th October 1881 gives the name of the Ramsgate lifeboat as the 'Bradford'.
Noel Clark, Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 4, 2017 nhclark@ozemail.com.au
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this, Noel. I have modified the Ganges listing accordingly - here. I well remember the London Evening Standard from my years in London. But I had not realised that it had been publishing for so many years.

339) I have a small Sunderland jug with the 5-line poem beginning:
From rocks and sands, And barren lands etc. - which is not illustrated on your website.
Constance Kaine, London, U.K., Jan. 21, 2017 c.kaine@thameshudson.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. The verse itself was already recorded on site, in the first row here. But now, thanks to Constance, we have a fine image of the verse also.

338) I have found a relative at 21 Back Hopper Street in Sunderland in 1911 . Does anyone know where this was? He had moved there to take up an apprenticeship in the shipyards . Thanks.
Len Smith, U.S.A., Jan. 13, 2017 len1972@wi.rr.com
Webmaster's comment. I do not have the knowledge to be able to give you an answer, Len. Hopefully a site visitor will come forward & enlighten us all.

337) I am wondering how to get permission to copy a ship image into my memoirs, based on my research of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. Please let me know the procedure. Thanks. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Bob Tatz, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Dec. 22, 2016 bobtatz@shaw.ca
Webmaster's comment. I believe, Bob, that the inclusion of an image in your family memoirs would constitute fair dealing under the copyright laws of Canada - assuming that those memoirs are private in nature & are not published. It should be noted, however, that the webmaster does not own the copyright in any of the images available through these pages. And that being so, is unable to grant 'permission' for their usage elsewhere.

336) I come from a long line of Welsh sea goers. I have had in my possession this old photograph of a sailing ship in a wooden ship's life ring. The wording is memorabilia faded. LIVERPOOL on the bottom. The top was worse & almost unreadable. I experimented with different spellings & came up with LODORE That's when I found your site. This ship was originally name LODORE but later changed to CARLA. She was sunk by a German uboat. I found this information on your site along with a replica of the exact picture I have. It's the bottom picture on that section. I am so thrilled. I intend to get this lovely piece of memorabilia restored. Many thanks for your site & best wishes.
Lindsay Thomas Morgan, Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 9, 2016 ltmorgan@hotmail.com Lindsay's website reference is http://www.lindsaythomasmorgan.ca/
Webmaster's comment. Hello neighbour - relatively speaking! I am so glad to hear, Lindsay, that your found the data on site about Lodore to be helpful to you. It has been a while since that data was first made available. All of the many links still seem to work fine today.

335) Hello. I have a copy of the accounts for Sutton Bridge bridge dated October 1883. In it was a charge of £1353.46 for damage to the bridge caused by the sloop Alice. I also have an old newspaper cutting advising of a serious accident caused by a brig belonging to Mr. Youngs (I think he had a boatyard at Wisbech, further down river), hitting a leaf of the bridge and dragging it right off, and other damage. Have you any information to connect the account & the accident? If so your reply would be most appreciated. Kind regards.
Rex Allen, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, U.K., Jun. 29, 2016 sutbridge@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Rex, so far I have not located any data about a vessel named Alice, owned by Mr. Youngs. The Mercantile Navy List of 1880 lists 69 vessels named Alice. But none of all of those vessels is listed as owned by Youngs. I drew a blank also re similar data for 1879 & 1882, which data is accessible via the above link. I checked also Lloyd's Register editions from 1878/79 thru 1882/83 & can spot no vessels named Alice owned by Youngs. I am sorry that I could not better assist you.

334) Hello Peter. I paid a few visits to the new www.sunderlandships.com web site, a lot of good work going on and a lot of new or previously unknown builders. I find all the links work well. Seems to me the gentleman who posted here was firing a shot across your bow, cheeky beggar.
Peter Gould, Liverpool, U.K., Jun. 23, 2016 petergould100@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I agree entirely about www.sunderlandships.com. Re your other words - least said soonest mended!

333) Hello Mr. Searle. Thank you for visiting our website (COLINDA) at Sunderlandships.com. This website/database is part of a large project to put on line details of all vessels built in the U.K. starting with regions like the Clyde www.clydeships.co.uk, Sunderland www.sunderlandships.com, Tees Ships, on the stocks. Whitby, on the stocks. Liverpool, on the stocks. The information is derived from primary sources such as Custom House Records and original registration papers, the work is carried on by a number of hard working researchers often at their own expense. In the next few months I will add a list of about 80% of all vessels built in Sunderland from 1780 to 1850. This is a great opportunity to place on line the history of British Shipbuilding.
I am asking all owners of similar websites to please respect our copyrights where we hold them and also to respect the hard work of our researchers by not taking or using our data without prior permission.
Mick O'Rourke, Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust, Jun. 21, 2016 wearbuilt@gmail.com Mick's website reference is www.sunderlandships.com/
Webmaster's comment. You and your colleagues, Mick, have taken on a worthy project indeed. And a truly giant one. I am sure that all who are interested in the history of shipbuilding in the U.K. will join me in welcoming your initiative. Colinda is covered on site here.

332) I was very pleased to find your site & learn so much about the Laings. I have been researching the First Four Ships to Canterbury, New Zealand, in 1850 for many years & have finally established where the ships were all built. The Charlotte Jane was built in 1848 by Pattersons of Bristol. The Cressy in 1843 by Philip Laing in Sunderland, the Randolph in 1849 by James Laing at Sunderland, & the Sir George Seymour in 1844 in Sunderland. The Cressy & Randolph were built for Duncan Dunbar of London, & the Sir George Seymour for J. Somes of London. What I cannot find is WHO built Sir George Seymour! I noted from your site that the Laings built Merchantman for J. Somes in 1852. As I cannot find any voyages between 1844 & 1850 is it possible that the Sir George Seymour was built like the Merchantman for J. Somes without an initial name & its construction went without any record or had an earlier name? It is of course most frustrating because my ancestors travelled on Sir George Seymour in 1850 to Canterbury.
Ted Hill, Kent, U.K.?, Jun. 20, 2016 ngaruhe@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Alas, Ted, I am unable to tell you who built Sir George Seymour. Recently, a kindly site visitor gave me a giant list of the vessels built at Sunderland, the list including builder names. I hoped that that list would provide an answer, but Sir George Seymour is not included in the list. Forgive me saying it but I believe you are off course in your thoughts late in your message. I have not yet researched Sir George Seymour, but to help answer your message have quickly checked the Lloyd's Register ('LR') record for the vessel. It is quite routinely LR recorded from 1844/45 thru 1867/68, but looks likely to have mainly served Australia rather than New Zealand. A partial history of the vessel, containing that LR data, can be accessed here. A possible approach to your solving the puzzle. A site visitor recently gave me a series of newspaper cuttings, ex the Newcastle Courant, covering vessel launches at Sunderland in 1854. I am gradually working my way though the cuttings, which contain much interesting data. It may very well be that similar cuttings re year 1844 would tell you who built the vessel. It is most likely that the launch of such a significant ship was recorded in the newspapers of the time.

331) Hi thanks for the site. I started researching my family history & traced the James side to Sunderland. William James was a mariner & lived in Zion Street & his sons were either mariners or shipbuilders. Having somehow got what seems to be a family name as a middle name i.e. 'Ridley' they pop up in Woolston & I guess they moved with Thomas Ridley Oswald. In the late 1890s they moved to Middlesbrough. They carried on with the shipbuilding tradition.
John James, Warrington, Cheshire, U.K., Jun. 1, 2016 johnjames@talk21.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, John. I wish you happy hunting in researching your family history.

330) Peter - I have been researching ANCONA of 1840 for a long time now and am slowly piecing together her story. I have yet to prove that Noble was her builder but it does seem that at least she was built for or by G. Noble, her master being the related J. Noble. Hutchinson who was a builder seems to have been connected with her at some stage. I have notes regarding her loss on the Norfolk coast in 1870 in the Larn list. I have a document related to the mate lost in her then from a family member and about a half of a diary/log kept by crew aboard in 1847 when she went to the Brazils as they were then called. I am in the process of accessing crew lists held at the MHA Canada, PRO London and Greenwich, London. I have yet to visit the Lloyds maritime collections held at the Guildhall at London, England.
Chris Roche, England, May 22, 2016 Sailor@chrisroche.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. For over a year now, the webmaster has been busy expanding the lists of vessels built at Sunderland over the centuries, in site pages 117 thru 136. I never could have imagined what a wealth of data is today WWW available, to help in that effort, thanks in large part to 'Google' & others, who scan old books & make them accessible to all. Ancona, is one vessel that has recently been added into the list - a modest little snow or brig built in 1840, of just 243 tons. Such listing was greatly expanded in Dec. 2022 & moved to here. I must say that I have been amazed at the interest 'out-there' about vessels built so very long ago, including Ancona.

329) The blocksetter on the Roker Pier is stated as designed by H. H. Wake, engineer for the River Wear Commissioners; erected by Wear Commissioners workshops, boiler, engine and machinery by John Abbot & Co., Gateshead and girder work by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., South Dock, Sunderland (Contract 331 3/85). But regarding the later South Pier machine I have little information. A reference to it by J. Horner 'Blocksetting Titans', in 'Cassiers Magazine', Vol XV., Jan. 1899, may be indicative, but no firm information is given. I cannot believe that Wake would not have been involved; however the machine is very different in concept to British machines of the time. Horner had worked for Stothert and Pitt, Bath and may have introduced a continental designer from that firm. Do you have any information please.
Chris Capewell, Queens Park, NW6 6RY, NW London, U.K., Apl. 29, 2016 chriscapewell@googlemail.com
Webmaster's comment. I learn that a 'blocksetter', in this context, is a term used to describe a powerful crane that was especially built for use in the construction of the piers at Roker - in particular a 'Titan' crane. i.e. what Len Charlton referred to as a 'Goliath' crane in his article & is depicted here. Your message, Chris, has brought to my attention that most interesting 'Horner' article that you refer to above, which article contains many images related to the construction of the Roker north pier at Sunderland. I hope, in due course, to add a section into the site about Titan Cranes or 'blocksetters' & provide the entire 'Horner' article along with own your comments & question.
Site visitors should be aware that I am not from Sunderland & have no knowledge first-hand of almost anything about Sunderland. Site visitors might usefully consider my website to be rather like a 'scrapbook' - in that it saves & makes available to those who are interested, Sunderland related data that interests me & hopefully will interest others also - data that often is most difficult to find in the original. So while you have helped me, Chris, I alas, cannot help you re this matter. Hopefully an interested site visitor will come to our collective rescue with knowledge & additional data about the machinery used in constructing the Roker south pier.

328) This site, packed with information has always amazed & delighted. Apart from a brief spell with the Admiralty I have lived all my life in Sunderland. I served an engineering apprenticeship at Thorn-AEI ('Cosmo' works). My maternal grandfather was Norwegian & ran away to sea at the age of 12, but I never had any aspiration to work in the industry.
Although I was never associated with Sunderland shipbuilding I was always interested in its heritage & always proud of it being 'the greatest shipbuilding town in the world'.
When I retired I have tried to list all the ships built on the River Wear during the 19th & 20th centuries. Concentrating on the Yards that made it into the 20th Century. I used of course, amongst others, Local History such as The Sunderland Antiquarian Society, the Lloyds Registers, the Miramar Ship Index, the Mystic Seaport website, the 'wrecksite.eu' website and of course the amazing Sunderland Pages of www.searlecanada.org.
By logging the ships built at the 16 yards, I expect no remuneration & once finished the DVDs will be held in the archives of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society.
Alan Burns, Sunderland, U.K., Apl. 28, 2016 ouseburn@ntlworld.com
Webmaster's comment. Am glad to learn, Alan, of your interesting research. Alas, all who work in such areas face the same dilemma - how to make the results of our collective research widely available, & how to ensure that it continues to be available into the indefinite future. Now you may disagree with my conclusions, Alan, but I believe that research which is not i) widely & electronically available or ii) published in a book, is of limited value. And that when, in due course, the results of your research in the form of DVDs are in the hands of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, the situation will not greatly change - unless & until your research is made electronically & freely available by the Society to folks from all around the world. Those words are not intended to hurt you, Alan, or hurt the Society or hurt anyone else for that matter, but rather are intended to focus attention on the problem. There have been many whose life's work has produced nothing that is lasting. Many fine websites have suddenly gone silent. My own dilemma is how to ensure that data, assembled over the years & made freely available via the Sunderland Site, does not suddenly vanish when my website goes 'silent' as seems, one day, to be inevitable. Maybe there is a solution to the dilemma but so far I have not found it. A possibility, maybe, is that the site could become a number of 'pdf' files & be kept alive & available into the future by the good efforts of 'Google', or of the City of Sunderland archives.
There may well be ways where we can help one-another in the meantime, Alan, via my website - so long as I am able to maintain it all.

327) Thanks for the site, found what I wanted re Deeness. Our lifeboat was called to search for her. Found her high and dry 5 miles south of Goury (France). The crew walked ashore. This search & event prompted discussions between Islands & French Authorities, held in Jersey, which led to much improved communications & development of a square grid search overlay for charts. This system, based on the German wartime positioning system, now known as the MANCHEGRID, is still in use when conducting inter-governmental searches between UK, French, Belgium & Irish authorities.
Peter Gill, Guernsey, Channel Islands, Apl. 9, 2016 p.gill@cwgsy.net
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your interesting message, Peter. Deeness is covered on site, but only in a most limited way - limited because the vessel while owned by a Sunderland fleet owner (Thomas Rose & Co.) was not built at Sunderland, the focus of this site.

326) Thank you for your site which I found quite by accident but have had great fun looking at. My ancestors were the two William Farrows who were in Bishopwearmouth in the 1800s and it was great to see the ships that they owned. I did see that someone else had mentioned Farrow in a letter (103) so I hope to contact them.
In 1867, ship 119 Unison lists the owners as Farrow jr, later William Farrow jun, both of Sunderland. Does the 'jr.' stand for junior too, in which case was his father William likely to be a ship owner too? (3 Williams!) If anyone has any information about the William Farrows I would love to hear it as I cannot find the 1841 census entry for either of them (were they at sea?) or their family and cannot trace any further back than the 3rd William. Many thanks.
Caroline Johnston, U.K. most likely, Apl. 3, 2016 cajohnston321@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I see that there are two vessels named Unison built in the 1860s & referenced in these pages. One was built in 1863 & the other in 1867. Both were built by Reay & Naisby & both were owned by the 'Farrow' family of Sunderland. It seems certain that they acquired the 1867 vessel to replace the 1863 edition that was lost. Re 'jr'. Lloyd's Registers of the time had limited space for data & routinely contracted names, places, etc., even vessel names, to fit in the available space. 'Junior' is recorded in the registers in many different forms. Hopefully others can help you with your genealogical research.

325) Hello. What a fine site. I arrived here searching for a ship named Ann of Sunderland. It foundered off Skagens Rev (North Jutland) on Nov. 28, 1846. Local fishermen saved the crew of six. The wreck was bought by a local man, but when a period of calm weather arrived - about half a year later - the hull was taken ashore & found to be nearly intact. Possibly it was repaired & sailed again. The Danish painter Martinus Rørbye portrayed the work on the ship in 1847, & I just uploaded the picture at Wikipedia Commons here. Maybe this would be of interest for your site.
Ebbe Hove, Denmark, Apl. 1, 2016 ebbe.hove@mail.dk
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Ebbe, for your message which indeed is of interest. As a result I have now detail listed Ann, built at Sunderland in 1842, a schooner of 111/87 tons. Lloyd's Register of 1846/47 notes that the vessel had been 'LOST'. Could this be the vessel that was wrecked on Nov. 28, 1846? It is a possibility but really not more than that today. More data would be needed to confirm its identity - an article in a contemporary Sunderland or Newcastle newspaper about her loss would surely help in that regard. Hopefully one day it will be possible to identify your Ann with certainty.

324) Thank you for putting together this wonderful site. I'm Sunderland born and bred and have an interest in my family's history and origins. They were mariners, shipbuilders, railwaymen, miners, and the odd Running Fitter for good measure, so I guess typical of the town. The site has given me loads of background and I thank you for that.
Martin Howden, Durham, U.K., Mar. 16, 2016 martin@cmhowden.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your kind words, Martin. You use a term in your message that is new to me & possibly to others also - a running fitter. What exactly did a running fitter do?

323) Being a Sunderland lad, bred, educated, apprenticed engineer and ship fanatic, I am pleased to find your site, which keeps me occupied on many an occasion.
A poser for your readers:- Who was the last Sunderland Captain, to sail a Sunderland owned, Sunderland built ship, with a Sunderland crew, out of Sunderland?
Jack Thompson, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, Feb. 20, 2016 Mechand@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Am glad to see that you enjoy the site, Jack, and have found content of interest to you. While the site has a strong emphasis on the City's shipping & shipbuilding history, it is not organised in a way that can easily help answer your question. Hopefully, in due course, you will provide us with the answer.

322) Hi, great information held on the site. My maternal ancestors lived in the east end of Sunderland in the late 19th century. Mainly mariners some of them master mariners. I am always digging around for some further information about them. Some of the WOOD family are known to have travelled back and forth to Canada and New York in the early part of the 20th century mainly Sarah Jane and Margaret who were nurses to the wealthy in New York, though they often travelled via Canada. Anecdotal tales from surviving aunt and uncle suggest family travelled from Colorado to Sunderland sometime around 1950s/60s. Would love to find ancestors who made the pioneering move to Canada and the USA from Sunderland who are related to the WOOD family. Top of my tree is Thomas WOOD b1805 in Stockton, Durham, England and married Jane HORNSBY.
As I still live in Sunderland I am happy to get photos etc. of any landmarks/streets for anyone interested.
Bryn Jones, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, Feb. 12, 2016 brynjon@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Hopefully somebody will see Bryn's message & help fill in part of his family's ancestry jigsaw puzzle. I don't have a logical page on site to record this data, Bryn, but at least your message will stay available into the future - via this page & a Google or other search. And thank you for your kind offer to take photos.

321) I remember the fire at Joplings. My parents and I lived in a flat above, if I remember rightly, a timber shop which was right opposite the store. We had to leave our home in case the fire spread and my Mam had a photo of us with me wrapped in a blanket in my Dad's arms. I was nearly 4 years old at the time. I think the photo was taken by the Sunderland Echo but I cannot be sure. I remember my Mam telling me years later that she was glad she had collected my doll's pram that afternoon from the store and hid it ready for Santa coming.
Joyce Walker, Peterlee, County Durham, Jan. 31, 2016 judyhollymegan@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this Joyce. Wouldn't it be a thrill to locate a copy of that photograph - if it was taken by the Sunderland Echo it might still be in their photographic archives. Joplings Department Store, & the disastrous fire of Dec. 14, 1954 that destroyed it, is covered on site here.

320) Good morning, I discovered your AAA1 site when searching for ship info and up popped the William. I am looking for details of a ship built 1813/1814 (but regret not at Sunderland) and seek your advice as to the source of the Ship Registration Certificate for William. Any direction you could provide will be sincerely appreciated.
Robert Hadlow, P.O. Box 470, South Perth, WA 6951, Australia, Jan. 30, 2016 bobhadlow@iinet.net.au
Webmaster's comment. I think that Robert is enquiring about William, built at Sunderland in 1852, & extensively covered on site here. His interest is particularly in the certificate which you can see here.
The certificate was provided to me by Alan Collie of New Zealand who had extensively researched the history of William over many years. Late in that process, he visited the Greenwich Maritime Museum to access their files about the vessel's many voyages. Alan tells me that he then contacted the folks at The National Archives at Kew & arranged for documentation about William's builder, owners, shareholders, construction, etc., to be mailed to him in New Zealand. Later, having digested all of that data, he visited Kew, & was able to access a leather-bound 1852 Register, within which was the certificate in question. So much data was found 'long distance' if you will, however the certificate emerged as a result of a personal visit.

319) I've fond memories of working as a management apprentice at Bartram & Sons Ltd., South Dock, Sunderland, between 1957 & 1962. The shipyard manager was Walter Mellanby, an ex-plater, who was fine man & a bit of a father figure. I also worked during the latter years with Kit Bartram.
Richard Johnstone, London, U.K., Jan. 22, 2016 richardjjohnstone@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. The name of Walter Mellanby is familiar to the webmaster in the history of Bartram's but I was not aware that he had served as a plater before taking on his later management responsibilities. Does anybody have an image of him, I wonder? It would be fitting to include his photograph in these pages, maybe on this page, which has a number of staff images from the time period that you refer to. While I never was in contact with Kit Bartram, he kindly provided, via Robert Hunter, the build list of Bartram built ships that is included on site.

318) Thomas Snowball at Southwick pottery manufacturer. His brother Ralph Snowball born 1831 did the printing on the pottery.
Mavis White, U.K., Jan. 1, 2016 white.m1942@btinternet.com Mavis's website reference is http://www.tribalpages.com/
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for this Mavis. I have noted your words in the Thomas Snowball paragraphs here

317) I love your website! It is the most comprehensive in terms of information about the 'Eppleton Hall' paddle tug. I am in the process of building a radio-controlled model of her. I have a pretty good idea of the various colour schemes she wore during her working life. However, I have not been able to determine what colour her paddlewheels were painted. I am hoping that you can shed some light on this. Thank you!
Leo Steinfeld, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Dec. 22, 2015 L46S@MYMTS.NET
Webmaster's comment. The Eppleton Hall page that you refer to was created with data & images provided by a friend of the site - a friend who prefers to be anonymous. He has advised as follows:- 'Regarding the colour of the paddle wheels on paddle tugs. The arms of the wheel radiating out from the central hub, were in effect unseen so no colour scheme was used. Unlike, say the funnel which was seen and could be used to display the company colours. So, the paddle wheels were painted the same colour as the hull. Normally some bitumen type based paint.'
If anybody is aware of the current (almost 2016) state of the vessel, I would love to hear from you (via the address is at the top of the page). The last I read suggested that the vessel is now in a dreadful condition. Maintaining such a vessel does not come cheap, I appreciate, but the vessel does need to be preserved for posterity. Maybe somebody should crowd-fund its refurbishment - its care does not seem to be a high priority of the Parks Service who doubtless are themselves starved of funding.

316) My parents are buried in Mere Knolls Cemetery, Sunderland. I have the plot no. and the grave no., all I need now is a map showing the location of the gravesite. Where can I get a copy of this map?
Robert Cartert, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 26, 2015 Horatio@telus.net
Webmaster's comment. As for the message next below, I am unable to help you, Robert, in any way. We both live far away from the libraries & archives in Sunderland & Newcastle, that would contain such data. Let us hope that a site visitor comes to your assistance.

315) I am presently researching my family tree quite successfully. However my grandfather, Thomas Gilligan, was employed by the National Coal Board as a Gamekeeper after he was invalided out of the Durham Light Infantry. He was employed at Carly Hill (gardens?) but I can find no references to this place in the years following WW1. Can you help?
Norma Jackson, likely U.K., Nov. 21, 2015 kenorma5@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Alas, Norma, I do not have the knowledge to be able to assist you in any way in your family history research. Hopefully others who can help, will see your words via this page & come to your rescue. Is it Carly Hill or Carley Hill?

314) I was a wages clerk at the Dockyard when Radiant II was built and attended the launch. As I understand it, Mr. Mavroleon had the Yacht built at the dockyard in the hope of attracting more business to this yard as there was no way the berths could be extended to accommodate the building of larger ships. He maintained that by building Radiant II here he was saving a considerable sum of money
Sheila Gothard, Sunderland, U.K., Nov. 10, 2015 sgothard@talktalk.net
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for sharing your memories, Sheila. Certainly there was limited space at the 'Austin' site beside the road bridge & insufficient space to build the larger vessels that the marketplace demanded. Radiant II is covered on site here, but as I reread my words, I see that the yacht's status after 2006 or so is not included. If anybody can tell us more recent information about the yacht, do consider being in touch, via the e-mail address at the top of this page. 

313) What a simply splendid site, a must for anyone wanting to learn about Sunderland.
David Burdon, U.K., Nov. 1, 2015 dburdon4111@googlemail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your kind words, David. There IS a lot of interesting data on site for sure, yet I know that there is lots more that also needs to be included. For many months now, I have been expanding the lists of vessels built at Sunderland, most particularly in years prior to the 1860s. Extensive, 'new to me' data is now WWW available, so extensive that I cannot keep up with its availability.

312) Have spent such a happy time reading this and trying to superimpose the Sunderland here over the Sunderland as is. The results are bewildering.
Bill Blake, U.K., Oct. 11, 2015 thnbill@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. I can well understand, Bill. Sunderland has changed dramatically over the years. It must be hard to relate this site's text & images to the city as it is today.
A little incident in the history of the site. A kind early site visitor found the spot where Thomas Hemy had placed his easel to paint the 1879 railway bridge and took a photograph - no mean feat since my correspondent was in a wheelchair. In our correspondence I mentioned the staiths that had been directly opposite on the south bank of the river. I was quite wrong, he told me. I have lived here all my life & have never heard of such a thing. I showed him some early postcard images of the Lambton staiths & he was astonished.

311) I have thoroughly enjoyed all articles written and discussed. I remember well the Joplings High Street fire. At the time I was a pupil at West Park school which was not too far from Joplings site. After hearing about the fire many of us rushed to High Street after school to see what was happening. Following the fire, Joplings opened a very small temporary store in John Street, on the same side as the School dental clinic, I have seen no mention of this although perhaps I may have missed it, or perhaps it may not be remembered by many.
Jean Elliott, Long Newton, Stockton-on-Tees, U.K., Oct. 4, 2015 jeanelliott_773@fsmail.net
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your message, Jean. Len Charlton did refer to the subject if briefly - 'Business continued in temporary buildings until 1956 when Joplings reopened in a fine new store on John Street.' I have now added a specific reference to the matter in the Joplings fire coverage on site here.

310) My grandfather William Ellwood was a boy sailor (16) on the SS Mary Ada Short when she was captured and sunk in 1915. They were released in America. He was back in the U.K. and sailing again within a few months.
Nigel Lewis, Wales, U.K., Oct. 2, 2015 mitre@talk21.com
Webmaster's comment. What an experience that must have been for a 16 year old. Was he permitted to witness the shelling & sinking of his ship, I wonder? Probably he was locked away below decks & did not. Mary Ada Short is covered on site here.

309) Nice to see history from one's own home town
Tom Carroll, Sunderland, U.K., Sep. 26, 2015. Tom's website reference is www.sailorshome.org
Webmaster's comment. Am glad that you enjoyed your visit to the site, Tom.

308) My dad Tommy Bell worked on the Eppleton Hall in the sixties. Wondered if anyone knew of him?
Carol Trimble, Sunderland, U.K., Sep. 16, 2015 caltrim@tiscali.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. The Eppleton Hall is covered on site here - do drop by to read all about the famous paddle tug that was built back in 1914 & was a Sunderland institution. I hope that folks will remember Tommy. And be in touch, Carol.

307) I am compiling a family history. One person of interest to me is a former licensee of the Royal Hotel (1911 census) whose son became licensee/proprietor of the Star in Netherton, near Rothbury.
Donald McLean, Bradford, West Yorkshire, U.K., Sep. 9, 2015 donald.mclean@talk21.com
Webmaster's comment. I do hope, Donald, that site visitors will come to your assistance in your search for data. I presume that the Royal Hotel was in Sunderland?

306) Is there a page for "humour" that occurred in the yards, Peter?
Arthur Haynes, Newcastle, U.K., Aug. 30, 2015 Asicit@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. No there isn't such a page - or at least not yet. But the thought is a good one. Would you like to start off such a page off with your own favourite shipyard story, Arthur? If so, e-mail me at the address at the top of this page. And ... need I say it. Others are invited to do the same.

305) Hi again. Just to say this site is a fantastic achievement and I can't believe I hadn't stumbled across it before. The amount of detail is truly astonishing and I feel that it really gives voice to a rich history few cities can boast. Thank you.
Aidan Morrison, Sunderland, U.K., Aug. 14, 2015 aidan74@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your kind words, Aidan. They are appreciated.

304) Hi. I run a project called Sunderland Stories which aims to get people excited about creative writing through writing stories about Sunderland. The goal is to produce an anthology of stories written by regular people to act as a collective account of life, history and imagination in Sunderland. This site is a fantastic resource for story inspiration and I was wondering if you have any advice in general or on how to get people interested enough to set aside the time to write a story. Despite an initial enthusiasm, people's interest is now waning.
Aidan Morrison, Sunderland, U.K., Aug. 14, 2015 aidan74@hotmail.co.uk Aidan's website reference is https://communiversitystories.wordpress.com/
Webmaster's comment. I wish, Aidan, that I could offer you a magic wand - to help encourage regular folks to contribute inspirational stories to your site about Sunderland life.
Your site, & mine too, are labours of love. Worthy indeed - but realistically unable to compete in today's society in which few care about anything, few read newspapers, few read books, few watch television & few aspire to achieve excellence in their lives - a society which is increasingly big time selfish. Today's youngsters are totally ill-equipped to deal with adversity & despite all of their education so many of them remain basically ignorant. The business world? All they care about today is the size of their bottom line - with no social conscience, they destroy whole communities by moving manufacturing facilities overseas, predominantly offer only part time & minimum wage jobs, cut benefits & offer no pensions. The politicians? They negotiate free trade agreements with countries with whom we never should have agreements, countries whose pay scales are vastly different, where human rights, women's rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, clean air, clean water & the rule of law are non existent.
All you and I can do, Aidan, is continue to try to offer, each in our own ways, a degree of excellence which is largely absent in society today. And be content with that.

303) I noticed a reference to Thornhills Quay. This may be of interest.
a) Thornhills Quay or Wharf, 1760, this became: the New or Fish Quay in 1770, Hays Wharf in 1789, took in half of Partnership Wharf in 1790, Robinsons Wharf 1827, Woods Wharf 1842, Railway Wharf 1840s, Elliotts Wharf 1920, became part of Corporation Quay 1930s.
b) Bowes Quay which was the oldest Quay, was built in c1601,
c) Nicholson's Quay built 1672, and known as Noble's Quay by 1715. Ettricks Quay built 1705, second Ettricks Quay, or Partnership Quay, built c1710 and the Commissioners Quay built c1739.
Stan Mapstone, Cheshire, U.K., Jul. 29, 2015 stanmapstone@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you yet again, Stan. Will figure out soon exactly how & where to add your fine data into the site.

302) Followed a link to yr website and then wasted (!) a happy hour surfing pages. A fantastic resource - well done. Have now bookmarked it!
Stel, U.K., Jul. 18, 2015 Stel245@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. The site would seem to have achieved a totally new measure of success - as a time-waster! Glad that you followed that link, Stel.

301) Well Done
Stan Adie, Castletown, U.K., Jul. 16, 2015 stanleyadie@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. How kind. Thanks, Stanley.

300) 109) Just found your website my great grandfather Hugh Duncan owned and sailed in the Nancy Brysson between 1866-77 when the ship was lost off Peruambuco. Hugh Duncan managed to save the ship's log and his crew they were picked up by the brig A. J. Pettingill and eventually arrived in New York via Havana in January 1877. I am keen to trace any info on the ship's builder T. Stonehouse and or the ship's owner.
Steve, U.K., Jul. 6, 2015 mac1steve@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your message, which is an example of how the site grows from day to day. Until your message was received, Steve, I was not aware that Nancy Brysson had been wrecked. I have now updated the data that I have on site about the vessel & have added a new section re T. Stonehouse, a Sunderland shipbuilder about whom I know very little. Then, hopefully, others will see that T. Stonehouse listing & be in touch to add their knowledge. Nancy Brysson foundered on Dec. 30, 1876 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, en route from Pernambuco, Brazil, to New York.

299) A fantastic site!! A boy could spend hours pawing over the pages. I came to the site whilst researching a family member who was a Merchant Seaman, who happened to serve aboard a ship in Australia that was built in Sunderland.
In the last ten years of researching, I've never seen such a site that brings a town's past to life. Thanks very much for all your effort in producing it.
David Curtain, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Jul. 6, 2015 curtaindv@yahoo.com.au
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, David, for your most kind words.

298) My father joined Marlwood on 8-21 as its wireless operator. He was a Marconi Co. operator. He is visible in the photo, on the bridge attending to the aerial connection. A photo of this ship in Bordeaux harbour hung on the wall of my childhood home. The windjammer Herzegon Cecile is also visible.
Donald McLean, U.K., Jun. 8, 2015 donald.mclean@talk21.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Donald. Two vessels of the name Marlwood are detail listed on site. The Marlwood that Donald refers to is here, built in 1906.

297) The last Royal Navy ship dismantled by Tommy Youngs shipbreakers was the corvette HMS Coreopsis, the ship featured in the film 'The Cruel Sea'. She was finally broken up on the Polka Hole, as the beach was called, i.e. opposite the North Dock. I looked at the ship being towed in and moored up in the South Dock yard of Tommy Youngs. After she was stripped down, the bottom half was towed to the Polka Hole and finished off. I was an apprentice fitter for the River Wear Commissioners at that time.
Jack Thompson, Sunderland, U.K., Jun. 3, 2015 Mechand@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Jack. I have added your words into the Thomas Young & Sons (Shipbreakers) Ltd. section on page 083. Coreopsis, a Flower class corvette which became Compass Rose in 'The Cruel Sea', was scrapped on Jul. 22, 1952. You can read some brief details about her here. More comprehensive data is here.

296) Both Stena survey ships were built at the PALLION covered in facility not Southwick as shown.
Arthur Haynes, Newcastle, U.K., May 5, 2015 Asicit@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Arthur. The error was on page 136, I believe. It has now been corrected.

295) I am really pleased to have found this site. My Dad, James S. Gillies, from Lower Largo, Fife, was a member of the crew of the Bretwalda when she was torpedoed on 18th December 1942. He was one of the gunners. I managed to get him to speak about this and the other ships he was on during World War 2. I will read with interest anything else which is written about on this site. Thank you.
Mrs. R. J. S. Goodwillie, U.K., May 3, 2015 jean@goodwillie.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Your message is very kind, Mrs. Goodwillie, most especially since the Bretwalda to which you refer (there were many vessels of the name) is not yet detail listed. This particular Bretwalda, a 4906 ton cargo ship, was built by Joseph L. Thompson & Sons Limited in 1939 for Hall Brothers Steamship Co. Ltd. of Newcastle. It spent much of its life in convoy duty - with no less than 58 convoy references during WW2 including 12 North Atlantic crossings. It was indeed torpedoed on Dec. 18, 1942, at 44.30N/16.30W (North Atlantic NW of Spain), by German U-boat U-563 while in 29 ship convoy MKS.3Y, bound from Philippeville (now Skikda, Algeria) to Liverpool. Bretwalda was in ballast & bound for Belfast. One crew member lost his life, I read. Hopefully, one day, the vessel will be detail listed in these pages.

294) A great site. My Dad, James Thompson, worked at Austin's shipyard from 1944 or earlier, until it closed down. He worked in the paint shop. He had a false leg due to an accident on a motorbike when he was a dispatch rider in WW2. I can only now appreciate the struggle he had walking down the 2 very steep banks every day, but he never complained. I remember very well the launch of that big ship as I was there as a child, my Dad took us and he was very proud to be there, he was also very proud of the pontoon. I always looked over the bridge as I could see the paint shop where he worked from there. We lived in Church Street next to St. Peters' Church on the 'Barbary Coast' and so walked over the bridge into town most days. Really happy days in a wonderful childhood.
Joyce Marley, U.K., Apl. 30, 2015 joyce.marley@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, Joyce. I am always glad to hear of the Austin shipyard & of those who worked there - to the webmaster, a yard of special significance in the history of the city. Its daily activities, most especially the action on the pontoon, a living theatre watched by all who crossed the nearby bridge. A yard where many generations of shipyard workers spent their working lifetimes - building small but sturdy ships which were the workhorses of the coal trade. A worthy history indeed that merits our respect. A history modestly commemorated here in the first of two pages about the shipyard.

293) Does anyone have information on the Archibald Family, John and Barbara Agnes Archibald, who were living at 15 Neale St., Roker, Sunderland, in 1911. John was listed as being an Iron & Steel merchant. Any links or pointers will greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Sandra Sargeant, Apl. 26, 2015 sandra.sargeant44@googlemail.com
Webmaster's comment. I certainly cannot help you any, Sandra, but hopefully a site visitor or maybe visitors will be able to guide you.

292) My name is Bobby Christall Jr. of Henderson County, Texas, a descendant of John Christall born 1830 County of Durham England (according to his Texas Rangers military file of 1871 San Antonio, Texas). John Christall joined the military at age 28 first at Chicago, Illinois, under Forsyth & came to the New Mexico/Texas border in 1858. I have been looking for my family, parents of John, in County of Durham, England, for 35 years.
I descend from John Christall (above) who settled in Bandera County, Texas, raising sheep in 1880 having married in San Antonio, Texas, to my great grandmother, Mary Cocker. We are a line of ranchers & farmers in far West Texas nearly in Mexico around the town of Del Rio, & wish to find info on the 'John Christall' who was a resident of Durham, England in Feb. 1864 & died with a will naming his wife Elizabeth as executrix ... we are of course hoping to bridge this family of 'Christall' to our own proven descendant born 1830 at this place. Can anyone in Durham, England, help us with our search? Look forward to hearing from you!
Bobby Chistall, Junior, Henderson County, Texas, U.S.A., Apl. 21, 2015 Bob736@msn.com
Webmaster's comment. I do hope, Bobby, that there will prove to be site visitors who can help you in your search & will come forward to assist you.

291) So pleased to have found the picture of the Binns Department Store and the relevant information especially as the founder, George Binns, was my great great great grandfather.
P S, Australia, Apl. 17, 2015 pentop42@bigpond.com
Webmaster's comment. Am glad that such limited data as I have assembled re Binns Department Store has been helpful to you. But my data is truly limited - I need help to both improve & expand it. The available data, such as it is, can be accessed here.

290) Was delighted to find a photograph of a property I own which was dated back to 1850.
Paula Jackson, Sunderland, U.K., Apl. 12, 2015 pops-jackson@fsmail.net
Webmaster's comment. My word! It is a pleasure to hear, Paula, that you found such an image on site - an image that to you is of such special significance.

289) I was looking for Roker pier light and found this excellent site with, yes, yes, some pics with ships stranded near lighthouses. Great for my lighthouse collection too. Many thanks in advance.
Jaap Termes, Heemskerk, the Netherlands, Feb. 7, 2015 jaaptermes@kpnplanet.nl
Webmaster's comment. So glad to hear, Jaap, that you found images on site that are of interest to you. Probably on the 'Shipwrecks at Sunderland' page.

288) Hi. Further to my last message about the clipper ship 'Duchess of Edinburgh' I tried to attach a Word doc transcription of an article from the Melbourne 'Argus' about her history but it didn't work, so it is copied in below. Apologies for the length but it is quite an interesting account of the hazards which these ships faced.
The “ARGUS” Melbourne Monday 21 June 1875 THE CLIPPER SHIP DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH ....
Rae Fether, London, NWS, U.K., Feb. 6, 2015 raefether@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. As you can read above, Rae tried to attach to his message an extensive  Word document about Duchess of Edinburgh ex an Australian newspaper. While the guestbook cannot accept attachments it is set to accept very long messages. But it could not accommodate Rae's entire text, rather about 1/2 of it. The easiest way to permit site visitors to read Rae's entire article is to show it to you as it was published back in 1875. You can read the entire article here.
Site visitors who wish to send material to the webmaster can e-mail me routinely at the address at the top of this page.

287) Hi. My great grandfather was captain of the 'DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH' official no. 70604 an iron clipper built in Sunderland South Dock by Mounsey & Foster, launched 15.7.74 Owner: Edward T. Gourley of London. It was built for the wool trade but on it's maiden voyage to Melbourne it was dis-masted in a storm and had to limp into Corunna. It returned to England for repairs and its three masts were shortened. I believe my g grandfather made two voyages to Melbourne, though sadly dying at sea in 1877. I have never found a picture of this ship and wondered, as you seem to have found quite a few of other ships on the website, if you have any suggestions where to look. Many thanks for your very interesting and informative site.
Rae Fether, London, NWS (what does NWS mean?), U.K., Feb. 6, 2015 raefether@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I have added a link to this message on page 125 where the vessel is named in the 1874 built list. So folks can find your data easily, Rae. I will try to find an image of the vessel & since I am not likely to be successful, will keep my eyes open for such an image in the future.

286) You have a photo of two 'snowball pottery' mugs on the site, saying they belong to a site visitor... Ralph Snowball was my great great grandfather, but we don't have any of their pottery... Does anyone know whether there is any I could see, maybe in a local museum? Or anyone have any they would be happy to part with for a good price? Is the owner of the mugs maybe a relation? Lots of questions!!!
Caroline Edwards, U.K., Feb. 3, 2015 caroseed@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. We do indeed feature two Snowball mugs on site, specifically here. Re your questions, Caroline ... I do have, I know, a copy of 'Sunderland Pottery' by John C. Baker, but it seems to have gone AWOL the moment I need it. I think that it featured images of significant pieces of pottery along with references to their display in public collections. Perhaps you might access it or the other volumes listed here for (hopefully) references to 'Snowball'. The site visitor who provided the featured images is surely not related to the Snowball family. A question of my own .. Does any site visitor have other examples of 'Snowball' pottery? If so, might they consider providing images & details for inclusion on site?

285) Lloyd's Registers record the ship 'Karnak' built 1906 by J. Blumer, Sunderland, for Moss S.S. Co. I do not see it listed amongst your J. Blumer built ships for that period.
Ray Hobbs, Canary Islands, Jan. 20, 2015 ray@scullard.info
Webmaster's comment. The ship is listed, Ray, but is not detail listed. It is listed both in the 'Blumer' build list on page 142 & also in the 'built in 1906 list' on page 128. Some day hopefully the vessel will be fully researched & detail listed on page 048.
Now site visitors probably do not realise that there were almost certainly over 11,000 vessels built at Sunderland over the centuries. Each vessel typically takes from 2 to 4 hours to WWW research & also to summarise & provide links to the data & images that are WWW located. I now detail list over 1900 of the 11,000. Hopefully, one day, Karnak will be detail listed. But .... is it possible that any site visitor would wish to do such research for any vessel not yet detail listed? If so, by all means proceed & I will gladly both include the result & acknowledge the researcher.

284) I too came across your website by chance, I was looking for old railway images from Sunderland. I have lost hours going around this website looking at everything else. Thank you for putting this together.
Richard Downs, Darlington, U.K., Jan. 18, 2015 downs.richard@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Darlington occupies, I know, a unique place in the history of railways in the U.K., a history celebrated with the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. While railways feature rather less prominently in the history of Sunderland, George Stephenson's Hetton Line was a major advance in its time (1822) - it even predates the famous Stockton & Darlington Railway of 1825. So I doubt whether you found much on site, Richard, by way of old railway images. But ... I draw the attention of site visitors to two fine pages of images (1 & 2) related to trams in Sunderland. Really a wholly different subject, however.

283) I was born in South Hylton and left in 1970 came across the site by accident and am very impressed with it fantastic.
Richard Bulch, London, U.K., Jan. 18, 2015 bulch@ntlworld.com
Webmaster's comment. Am glad that you dropped by, Richard. And liked what you found. It is possible that you have something to add, a photo perhaps or some local history that others would find interesting. If so, do drop the webmaster a line.

282) I have been searching the web as I have learnt that my mother was born in 45 Burleigh Street (1918). I do not know much more than that as I had always thought she was born in Bristol. My grandfather from Dublin was a seaman by the name of Smyth but later changed to Smith.
Kevin Barrett, North Somerset, U.K., Dec. 30, 2014 kevin@clevedonkarate.co.uk Kevin's website reference is http://www.clevedonkarate.co.uk/
Webmaster's comment. I presume that the Burleigh Street that Kevin refers to is the one in Sunderland, as per this page.

281) Christal Terrace in Sunderland is named after my great grandfather Thomas Christal who was instrumental in the Co-op movement in Sunderland. His father (John Christal) started the boiler works in the South Docks.
Clare Abbott nee Wight, Oxford, U.K., Dec. 21, 2014 kevin@clevedonkarate.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, Clare. Glad to know that. Christal Terrace is in Roker & runs north/south between Brown Road & Neale Street. Clare adds that the boiler works were named 'Christal Boiler Works', that Thomas & his brother James inherited the works upon John Christal's death & that James is said to have later bought out his brother's interest in the works.

280) What a wonderful site - came across it whilst researching family history and found that you have a wealth of fascinating detail about Sunderland. I lived there from birth to 29 years of age and know only a fraction about the place that you do!
Stewart Wood, South Africa, Dec. 13, 2014 stewart@itlogic.co.za
Webmaster's comment. Am glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit, Stewart. While the on-site content is now most extensive, there realistically is a vast amount of interesting information & imagery that yet that needs to be added - as & when time permits. The site grows a step at a time, day by day.

279) Have emailed you separately. Great site and would love it if anyone had a photo or drawing of the Charlaw vessel as my gt gt granddad was on the crew.
Ruth Baldasera (nee Humble), Newcastle, U.K., Dec. 8, 2014 ruthbaldasera@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. You did indeed, Ruth. Charlaw, a steamer, was built by R. Thompson & Sons back in 1872. The vessel is name listed here on site page 125, but, as a result of your message, that reference now contains such details as to ownership & history as I could quickly find - & also your request. Let us hope that somebody can provide us both with an image of the vessel.

278) I am the 2x great granddaughter of William Potts, Edward Potts' brother. 3x great granddaughter of William Potts (the Elder).
Your information regarding the 'Gales' ship yard is a bit misleading. The way it currently reads 'Thomas Robson was an apprentice at a yard there in about 1770, which later became owned by Edward Potts ...' which leads one to believe that Edward bought the ship yard. In fact, Edward and William Potts INHERITED the ship yard at Hylton Ferry from their father William (the Elder) when William (the Elder) died in 1798. View William's (the Elder) will on the Durham University website DPRI/1/1798/P10 (page 1 of 3).
Joanna Hammond, British Columbia, Canada, Dec. 7, 2014 joanna.hammond@shaw.ca
Webmaster's comment. Hello again, Joanna. I am not sure that the old words were really misleading since they were silent on how Edward became a shipyard owner. But let us not quibble about such a matter. I have revised the text based on your today's words.

277) I am trying to find the whereabouts of the Roll of Honour for Bartrams Shipyard for the first world war. I have a copy of a photograph of it but would like to know if it is still in existence. Your help would be appreciated.
Judith Telfer, Washington, Tyne & Wear, U.K., Dec. 1, 2014 jtel48@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Hopefully a site visitor will see this message & answer your question, Judith. I have just found a 'pdf' which lists such memorials - a truly giant list. It contains, I see, a reference to such a memorial re Austin's Wear Dockyard (S140.124 - search page for Austin), but none re Bartram.  

276) I believe you have a link to Mayor Swan - if so I have unearthed interesting material in The National Archives linking him at a very early date to the notorious Ahlers Treason case of World War One (in a positive way). I am a musician, writer and historian and you can find out about me from my website.
Keith Gregson, Sunderland, U.K., Nov. 14, 2014 keith.gregson.t21@btinternet.com. Greg's website reference is http://www.keithgregson.com/
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Keith for your message. The webmaster wrote to Keith when his message was first posted & awaits a reply - to clarify the above message. I was not able to find the reference on site to 'Mayor Swan', though it probably is there somewhere! More, hopefully, on the whole subject in due course. 

275) Currently reading the late Scott Newhall's book about the epic voyage of the paddle steam tug 'Eppleton Hall' from Newcastle to San Francisco. Book on loan from Newcastle Lit and Phil Library. Have been in contact with San Francisco Maritime Museum and with maritime historian James P. Delgado (U.S.A. based) to see if there is any way a paperback reprint of Scott Newhall's book would be feasible, bearing in mind that in 2019 it is 50th anniversary of the voyage. Certain that his entertaining book would attract a lot of interest in this area, and amongst maritime enthusiasts U.K. wide.
Peter W. Skevington, South Tyneside, U.K., Nov. 3, 2014 maureen.skevington@btinternet.com.
Webmaster's comment. I am sure that you are correct, Peter, in thinking that the Scott Newhall book would do well in republication. For those who are not aware, Eppleton Hall is a tiny 166 ton paddle-tug built way back in 1913. Scott Newhall saved her from the scrappers yard, rebuilt her at Gateshead & captained her in a long & epic voyage that took her across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal and up to San Francisco. The vessel is covered on site here, a page in (slow!) progress that features a great many marvellous images of her. The book is not in our extensive Toronto, Canada, public library system. I acquired a copy of the book via eBay a while back but cannot reproduce any part of it on site for reasons of copyright. The last time I heard, the tug was in an awful condition. It is now owned by the U.S. National Park Service, which service, like Parks Canada the Canadian equivalent, is unable to look after the treasures in their custody due to funding cutbacks. 

274) Nice site full of information for most researchers of history.
I am currently researching the WOOD family including boatbuilders and mariners in the East End of Sunderland in 1800-1900 period. Thomas WOOD (b abt 1805 Stockton), married Jane HORNSBY (b abt 1808 Shields) in 1829 and lived on Bank Street.
Bryn Jones, Sunderland, U.K., Oct. 23, 2014 brynjon@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. For many months now, the webmaster has been advancing the list of vessels built at Sunderland using a giant 'John Oliver' list (from 1857) as his start point. Data from 1857 to the very end is now essentially complete. A likely match re your Thomas Wood is a shipbuilder named 'T. H. Wood or T. H. Woods - active, it would seem, in the period of 1857 thru 1860. I have no detail about the builder who may well, however, be referenced in the 'Corder' manuscripts. Search (Control + F) for 'Wood' on pages 123 & 124 for the vessels that relate.

273) Am reading the fabulous novel The Dress Lodger. Gusting works in the Garrison Pottery. The author's vivid description of the wretched working conditions made me realize the human toil that produced these now pristine objects. I viewed them on your wonderful site with sadness. I live 15 minutes away from Winterthur and visit often. I will now see 19th century pottery in a much sadder way. Thank you for your most educational site.
Bronwyn, Hockessin, Delaware, U.S.A., Oct. 22, 2014 Bronwyn35@hotmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. I did not read 'The Dress Lodger', influenced perhaps by a friend who said that he had found the book to be depressing. But I will now make sure that I do read it, with its description of conditions within Garrison Pottery.
I am sure that you are correct, Bronwyn, when you state that the then working conditions at Garrison Pottery were wretched. I suspect, however, that the working conditions were appalling just about everywhere at the time. Few today would willingly work for an hour under the conditions a coal miner had to face underground every hour of his entire working lifetime. Alas, conditions we both would describe as wretched surely persist today in so many parts of the world that produce the clothing we all wear & the consumer goods we all buy. Food for thought, indeed.

272) Found your website on Sunderland quite by accident. The 'Potts Brothers' referred to under 'ship builders' were in all likely: Robert Hutton Potts, Lipton Hutton Potts and Charles Hutton Potts - my great uncles. Their father William Potts (who died in 1850) had a ship yard possibly at Hylton Ferry where his father, also William Potts, had his shipyard. Lipton Hutton Potts was my great grandfather.
Joanna Hammond, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 18, 2014 joanna.hammond@shaw.ca.
Webmaster's comment. There are many references throughout the site to the name of Potts (via the yellow site search facility at the bottom of this & most site pages). E. Potts was a shipbuilder at Seaham in the 1860/1867 period. There also was a shipbuilder referenced as R. H. Potts and Brothers, later R. H. Potts - in business from 1857 to about 1870 based upon the data presently on site. That presumably is the 'Potts' to which Joanna makes reference. Of interest, there are also a great many references to Potts & also Potts Brothers as ship owners, particularly on site page 124. It would seem that I need to soon create a new shipbuilder listing for R. H. Potts & there include Joanna's family data. I wonder what 'Corder' had to say about R. H. Potts?

271) Going through my mother's belongings, I found an antique commemorative plate with a photo of the "Whaleback steamer Wetmore, built at Superior Wis. Running the Rapids of the St. Lawrence". Is there a museum or other place where this could be sent for a collection? It is actually of no value to me, but I hesitate to just discard it. Thank you.
Jan Crandall, Oct. 12, 2014 jan_crandall@yahoo.com.
Webmaster's comment. I have written to Jan about her message. The vessel to which the plate refers must surely be the Charles W. Wetmore, a 'whaleback' which travelled down the St. Lawrence River with it's Lachine rapids in 1891 & was a sensation when it later arrived at Liverpool. Such data as I have about the vessel can be accessed here. Do view this attractive image of her.

270) I understand that there are two photographs which I am looking for of trains crossing the Queen Alexandra bridge. The first is of a train crossing the bridge on opening day; the second is of two steam locomotives running over the bridge during weight testing. If anyone knows of these photographs can they please get in touch. Many thanks in anticipation.
Ian Morland, U.K., Sep. 21, 2014 ianmorland112@btinternet.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your message, Ian. I was not aware that such images exist. Certainly I have never before seen any mention of them. Hopefully a site visitor will be able to provide you with the images -  images which would be also welcomed by the webmaster to add to the existing site coverage of Queen Alexandra Bridge.  

269) Hi, I love your Sunderland site. I was fascinated by the searlecanada name of your site since I have lived in Canada for 40 years. I worked at Doxfords and Sir James Laing's and Thompson's Shipyards. I travel back to Sunderland every year to visit my family and would love to accompany you back home to show you around the many places you have eloquently written about. Thank you for the many hours, days and years compiling the pages.
Nick Pearson, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sep. 18, 2014
pearson_nick@hotmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. I am truly at a loss for adequate words with which to reply to Nick's message. Thank you for your kind and much appreciated comments about the site, Nick. But I have no words to adequately thank you for the kindness of your amazing offer. 

268) Hi. Stumbled on your website looking for railway things. It was fascinating as I have lived in Sunderland for over 70 years and remember a lot of the things you mention. I grew up in Fulwell, 1 mile from the river and could hear the noises clearly, My first job was in the Town Hall, and my wife in her youth worked in the old arcade. I have taken many photos of then and now based on old pictures, and today it is not easy sometimes to identify locations. Did you know the original Trafalgar Square is in Hendon? (Seamen's almshouses)
Ian Jameson, Sunderland, U.K., Aug. 23, 2014 iaz1827@ntlworld.com.
Webmaster's comment. So glad that you dropped (or stumbled!) by, Ian. And glad too that the site has stirred your early memories. I was aware that there is a 'Trafalgar Square' with its Merchant Seaman's Almshouses in Sunderland, but I was not aware that the square was the original. I learn that it was built in 1840 five years before 'Trafalgar Square' in London was completed - however, it should be noted, Nelson's Column would seem to also date from 1840. A little data about the Sunderland square can be read here on the 'Sunderland History' website. And a few modest images of the almshouses are available via Google Images. Hopefully, in the future, a section might be added to the site featuring the square and its almshouses.

267) Re: The Leithead Family Tree, I believe I can add to it. My Gt. Gt. Grandmother was Sarah Leithead whose marriage certificate shows she was married to Robert Adamson at the Bethel Chapel in Sunderland on 9th July 1842 in the presence of James, Martha & Thomas Leithead. Her father was James Leithead, shipbuilder of Pallion.
James Scott-Smith, Princes Risborough, Bucks, U.K., Aug. 22, 2014 iago@waitrose.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this James. I have added your data into the Leithead section which can be found here on site page 068.

266) Hi My husband is a direct descended of William Ball born 1817 died 1884 who married Hannah Summerbell born 1811 died 1883. They had three sons i) Thomas Lees born 1844 died 1922 ii) William Richard born 1842 died 1917 iii) Robert Norman born 1850. And one daughter Sarah Jane born 1854 died 1928. William's father's name was Thomas and he came from Staffordshire. He married a Sunderland lass called Catherine Worall born 1797 died 1881. My husband still has cousins called Ball and we have been to the Ball family grave.
V. C. Downing, Sunderland, U.K., Aug. 11, 2014 ronnie198@live.co.uk.
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for this Mrs. Downing. You have added materially to my knowledge about William Ball. Now William Ball is a name best familiar to those of us who are interested in the potteries of Sunderland, of which there were a great many over the years. Such data as I have about William Ball & his Deptford pottery can be read here at page 172.

265) Just found this site whilst looking for ship No 816 built at Wm. Doxford & Co. I owned a converted lifeboat built in Glasgow for this ship. I kept it in Caernarfon, in North Wales for about 14 years, selling it in the 1980s. I have the boat's Trial Ship Report which states the following info.
Standard Class "B" Motor Lifeboat, 26 ft. A/Alloy, Fitted with Morris's Vedette Mark V.D/Drive, Intended for Wm. Doxford & Co. ship No 816, Engine No 5V264
It then lists the result of the trials on the River Clyde. I also have the report of inspection.
I used the boat for angling. I would like to know which vessel 816 was. Great website.
Stan Ravenscroft, Staffordshire, U.K., Aug. 07, 2014 Stanr172@hotmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. One of the site pages is a build list for William Doxford - at page 143 - which lists the vessels built by 'Doxford' & successor companies from 1837 to the end in 1990. Doxford hull # 816 proves to Kepwickwall, built in 1956, which vessel is detail listed here.

264) Re 'The Hendon Paper Works Company Ltd. on your Sunderland site. I worked at the paper mill for Domtar from 1977 to 1981 then when it was took over by Edward Thompson Ltd. printers (The Sunderland Paper Mill) in 1983. I was employed initially in the finishing processes (cutting sheets to size) then moved on to the paper making machines where I remained until the mills eventual final closure in 2005. The image of the machine on your site is the actual machine I worked on for many years ... yes it was still producing paper up to 2005 albeit mostly bingo book paper! I had the dubious honour of shutting the machine down on the final night of the closure. However before the machine was stripped down and packed up and sent to India (where I believe it is back in production), I obtained from the machine the brass engineering plaque with 'James Bertram and Sons 1936' which I still have in my possession today.
Joe Ibinson, U.K., Jul. 30, 2014 karincake@sky.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thank you Joe, for writing in. You have added big time to my knowledge of the history of the Hendon paper plant, which I thought had ceased to operate in 1980 when Domtar of Canada could not find a buyer for it. A buyer clearly was found & the plant continued in business for another 25 years. I must modify page 203 to include this interesting new to me history. Am particularly delighted to hear that you snagged that brass plaque - a brilliant memento of your many years of service at the plant & on that particular paper machine.

263) Hi, Just seen your info on Sunderland ship Whateley Hall, My grandfather AE Mead was Master from 1913 to 1915. He was also master from 1912 to 1913.
Sue, U.K., Jul. 08, 2014 adrobson14@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. Glad to learn that, Sue! Whateley Hall was a turret ship built by Doxford in 1904 - covered on site here. It survived until 1937 when it was wrecked off the coast of Poland with the loss of her entire crew of 40.

262) Hello All. I am looking for crew/training list of HMS Active which was a Navy Reserve Training Ship in Sunderland around 1865.
Allan Robson, Liverpool, U.K., Jun. 22, 2014 squeezel@yahoo.co.uk.
Webmaster's comment. Hopefully a site visitor will be able to provide you with the data that you seek, Allan. I have no knowledge as to how to locate such data.

261) Looking for information about a shipwreck which foundered off Sunderland, December 1848.
This is the information I have:
EDWARD SPOUSE, Master and Owner of the Trimmer. Date of Command: 5th August 1820. Owner: 1st July 1848.
TRIMMER Built: France, Year Unknown, Date of Registry: 21st August 1810, Rig: Sloop, Tonnage: 43, Dimensions: length 47'.0 x beam 15'.4 x depth 6'.0, Constructional Features: Square Stern, Quarter Deck, Original Master William Stabler, Snr. Original Owners Robert Marflitt, Shipowner of Scarborough, Thomas Ward, Shipowner of Seamer.
Other Details Captured from the French, 1810. Prize legally condemned, duties paid and freedom certificate issued at Hull, 9th August 1810. Foundered off Sunderland, December 1848.
What happened to it and did the crew survive?
I found the information on your website very interesting indeed. I know that the above ship's only potential relationship to Sunderland is that it was shipwrecked there - but may be you could be able to direct my research, which would be great.
Gitte Spouse, Buckinghamshire, U.K., May 12, 2014 g.spouse@sky.com.
Webmaster's comment. As you indicate, Gitte, this web site does limit itself to Sunderland related subjects. Trimmer, a sloop built in France, might however be of site interest if it indeed foundered off Sunderland. I learn, however, that it in fact foundered 12 miles off Hartlepool. The vessel, en route from Whitby to Sunderland  under Captain Smith, was abandoned, in a sinking condition, at about 9 p.m. on Dec. 20, 1848. Soon thereafter it sank. About 3 hours later the crew was picked up by Matura of Sunderland. The crew were safely landed at Sunderland on Dec. 21, 1848. I am advised that the 'Newcastle Courant' referenced the vessel's loss on Dec. 29, 1848 in these words. There was no reference in the article to the circumstances or to the weather conditions at the time.

260) A fascinating website. Do you have any information about shipyard workers on (one of) the last wooden ships made sailing on a steel (or iron) ship to the far east? There is a tale of an ancestor in my mother's family being a shipyard worker who did this - and there are several items owned in the family believed to have been brought back from this trip.
Celia Gibb, U.K., May 11, 2014 eandcgibb@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. The circumstances do not ring a bell for me, Celia, but are most interesting. Let us hope that site visitors can come to your assistance. It might help to know that the last wooden vessel built at Sunderland was Coppename - built by 'Pickersgill' in 1880.

259) Dear Mr. Searle, Your site is impressive and comprehensive. From time to time I visit your site. Thank you very much.
Wytze Buitenrust Hettema, Kerkrade, The Netherlands, Apl. 26, 2014
wytze.buitenrusthettema@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Wytze, for your kind words.

258) Thanks for this great work on Vaux Breweries. I have a lot of information on the formation and development of Vaux Breweries which I will pass on to you, if you wish. Please email me with a suitable address/email to which I can send it.
Neville Bougourd , Durham, U.K., Apl. 16, 2014 neville.bougourd@yahoo.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Neville, for your most kind offer. I am not sure whether 'great work' is a just description of the truly modest amount of data about 'Vaux' that I have so far found & placed upon site page 207. But now, with Neville's help, that content has much expanded!
A tiny matter that comes to mind. Some years ago, I created a composite image of pit checks or tokens. The image still pleases me, each time I happen to see it (1 & 2). I hope that it pleases you too. It would be good to create a similar image with 'Vaux' beer labels. Can any site visitor help with that matter? Note - I do not ask that you give me or mail me such labels - I truly have enough 'stuff' around the house already. Good scans of the labels, however, would be most acceptable & welcome.

257) Thank you for the useful information that assists me in my role as Collection Manager at the Newcastle Maritime Museum. We have many objects in the collection from vessels that called here over the years and it is very helpful to get the background to those vessels originally built in Sunderland.
Bill Storer, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Apl. 13, 2014 wjstorer@ozemail.com.au.
Webmaster's comment. I am glad to hear, Bill, that the ship history pages are useful to you. Certainly there are a vast number of site references to Sunderland built ships having visited Newcastle, NSW. The web page for the Newcastle Maritime Centre is here.

256) I am engaged in two projects which involve the ships that brought convicts and their military pensioner guards to Western Australia. My particular focus is to identify veterans of the Crimean War who came to WA from c.1857. But I am also interested in the enrolled pensioner guards on board the ship Belgravia which carried a number of convicts to WA in 1866. Belgravia was built at Sunderland by William Doxford for its owner the Somes family (Joseph Somes was deceased by 1862 when she made her first voyage). Belgravia is not on your list. For more information, please contact me.
Diane Oldman, Western Australia, Apl. 10, 2014 dianejar@iinet.net.au. Diane's page re Belgravia is here - http://crimeanwar-veteranswa.com/ships/belgravia/. And her new page re Norwood, another Sunderland built vessel, is here - http://crimeanwar-veteranswa.com/ships/norwood-1962/
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, Diane. By all means give me information. While Belgravia, a fully rigged ship of 889 tons, is not detail listed on site, it is recorded in the Doxford build list on page 143. It had a short life it would seem, about 5 years only, wrecked in or about 1866. Norwood is covered on site here.
This is as good a place as any to invite interested persons to consider creating detailed listings for Sunderland built vessels of interest to them - for inclusion on site. We have about 1,900 vessels detail listed - a substantial number for sure but a tiny fraction of the 11,000 or more ships that were built at Sunderland over the centuries. It may, in fact, be a great many more than 11,000! So long as I am alone in this project, I will not live long enough to get them all detail listed to the extent that is possible. So visitor input would be welcomed & is certainly invited.

255) Hi! I happy I fell upon your web site. Very informative. Thank you.
Janice Snowdon, Sunderland, U.K., Apl. 9, 2014 janissnowdon@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for dropping by, Janice. Am glad that you enjoyed your stay.

254) As an exiled Sunderland expat, I was really pleased to come across your Sunderland page. Thanks for the useful and interesting info. There are also two groups on Facebook devoted exclusively to what was once the biggest ship building town in the world. They are: 'Sunderland Heritage quarter' and 'Sunderland in pictures'.
Tom Waugh, Switzerland, Mar. 30, 2014 info@tom-waugh.com. Tom's website reference is http://tom-waugh.com/
Webmaster's comment. Glad that you have written in, Tom. I am well familiar with the 'Sunderland in Pictures' site at 'Facebook', and also the sister 'Sunderland Tugs and Shipbuilding in pictures' site. A great many images from both of those sites are included throughout these pages with links to the postings at 'Facebook'. However I was not aware of a 'Sunderland Heritage Quarter' site. Will take a look! And invite others to do the same - by clicking here.

253) Dear friends, I am more than happy having found your Website about Sunderland - especially about its shipbuilding. I am doing research about the wreck of the Spanish owned barque ship ULPIANO, built 1870 by Watson in Sunderland. The iron built vessel got lost on her maiden voyage - she ran ashore at Christmas night in 1870 on Süderoogsand, a sandbank out of the North Frisian coast. All of the crew was saved. The wreck was nearly completely covered by sand until last year, when it started to be washed out soon. The hull is only 43 m long and is in a relatively good condition. I send photo to you via mail, but if Google 'ULPIANO wreck' you can find lots of them for yourself.
My question: Is there anything known about this Yard (except what is to be found on your website), this barque or of sister ships of similar size? I am cooperating with the Board for Archeological Monuments and we all wonder, how the ULPIANO might have been looking like when she left Sunderland in 1870. Any information, drawings and photographs are more than welcome! Best regards from Hamburg.
Joachim Kaiser, Hamburg, Germany, Mar. 14, 2014 kaiser@stiftung-hamburg-maritim.de. Joachim's website reference is http://www.stiftung-hamburg-maritim.de/
Webmaster's comment. How very interesting. There clearly must be, in Hamburg, a great interest in preserving their maritime history - in this case the remains of an essentially unknown & modest barque built in far away Sunderland. The hull is in a quite astonishing condition for a vessel buried in the sand for 143 years (1 & 2). Joachim has since kindly provided an image of the Ulpiano wreck. And here are the early Lloyd's Register listings for the vessel. Why do I say early listings? Because the vessel that was lost in Dec. 1870 was for reasons unknown still listed in Lloyd's Register over 10 years later in 1881/82. Most strange! Anyway, Joachim, I am unable, at present, to provide much help in your quest. Perhaps 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' with their extensive records, may be able to help you with such data as they may have about the vessel & its builder.
In Jul. 2019, Ulpiano has, at last, been detail listed on site. Here.

252) Great website, well done. I am the Great, great, great, great Grandson of Jack Crawford, the Hero of Camperdown. I have recently (October 2013) visited Sunderland for the first time. I know for certain that I am the first member of Jack's family to do so since the statue to him was unveiled. The page shows the silk invitation to the unveiling, sold recently on ebay, I have my great great Grandfather's invitation here. He was Charles William Crawford. By then he was living in London.
If anyone thinks they are directly related to Jack, do get in touch and I will be pleased to help if I can. I was able to personally hold the medal shown on the page thanks largely to Pam Tait from the fantastic Sunderland Maritime Heritage centre. Visit them......they are amazing and make you very welcome. Thanks for a great website.
Brian Franklin, Buckinghamshire, U.K., Mar. 12, 2014 plumb-heat@freeuk.com.
Webmaster's comment. I am so glad to hear from you, Brian, & thank you for your kind words about the site. The remarkable story of Jack Crawford and the Battle of Camperdown can be read on site page 21. You can read a little about 'Sunderland Maritime Heritage' here.

251) This site is a great resource for a project my students are working on at the moment. They are working with LHNE to create an educational interpretation of Sunderland Parish Church funded by HLF. Thanks for all the info.
Doreen Hardy, County Durham, Mar. 7, 2014 doreen.hardy@espa.org.uk.
Webmaster's comment. I am glad that you find the site to be helpful to you & your students, Doreen. Hopefully, in due course, the church might be properly covered in these pages - it is not well covered today. The Heritage Lottery Fund has supported a great many projects both large & small in Sunderland over the last 20 years, including your own worthy project.

250) My Great Grandfather, John A'Court, signed on as 1st Mate to the Scindian [a Sunderland ship?] and left London on [19th] December 1873. I believe its destination to have been Nagapatam in India. He arrived back in London on [24th] December 1875. Two years later. Does anyone have any information about this voyage. Stops on the way? cargo? etc?
David Le Maistre, Jersey, Channel Islands, Feb. 19, 2014 dandalemaistre@jerseymail.co.uk.
Webmaster's comment. Scindian was a fully rigged ship of about 600 tons, built either in 1844 at Sunderland or in 1843 at Southwick. I cannot tell you who built her. The vessel survived until Nov. 3, 1880 when it sank off the Island of Elba, Italy. Scindian is detail listed on site here, though that listing is silent about most of the vessel's service history - certainly it is silent re the voyage that David references.

249) Re page 20, Palmers Arcade ran from High Street to St. Thomas Street and was demolished in the 1970s to be replaced by the British Telecom Telephone Exchange. It runs parallel to, and between John Street and West Sunniside, alongside Frederick Road.
Russ Cogdon, Frosterley, County Durham, U.K. Feb. 13, 2014 russ.cogdon@gmail.com. Some of Russ's photographs can be seen here
Webmaster's comment. Thank you Russ. I have fixed the page accordingly. And have added new content to the section.

248) Hi, I'm born and bred in Sunderland and am amazed to find the quality and content of the pages relating to 'canny old Sunderland'. I'm particularly interested and am busy researching ship launches during World War One and to consolidate my WW2 data. All I can say is, this is a brilliant and wonderful site and if you need anything checking or a 'now' photograph, please don't hesitate to ask. Brilliant work. Thanks.
John McLelland, Washington, Sunderland, U.K. Feb. 8, 2014 jjmclelland@yahoo.com. John's website reference is http://jjmcphotography.co.uk/
Webmaster's comment. Kind words indeed - much appreciated by your webmaster. I thank you for your most kind offer, John. There are many pages on site of listings of vessels built at Sunderland over the decades but the lists are far from complete for the years thru to 1869 & also re the final years. Gradually however, day by day, those pages are being expanded. But re many decades, including the 1910s, the data is now looking good I think. The WW1 years are available here.

247) Thanks for Sunderland information. I am descended from 3 lines that ran through Sunderland - Alderman John Coates (late 19th c.); The Chickens - Engineers at Monkwearmouth Pit ~1840; the Burlinson engineering line with Victorian foundries and engine works, staith design and manufacturers, etc.
Ken Chicken, Sunderland, Jan. 21, 2014 jokenchick@aol.com.
Webmaster's comment. I must say, Ken, that the names that you reference are all totally new to me. If you could provide additional information, we might usefully add to the history of Monkwearmouth Colliery & also to the suppliers pages. It is quite possible that once we have a little data on each subject, to start us off if you will, others will write in (address at top of page) to add what they also know.

246) Thanks for your brilliant and helpful work. I am looking for a ship built in 1852 probably in Sunderland and owned by Deniston. It was called the Emigrant and left for Australia in Sept 1852. I wondered if you have any ideas as to how we might find it. It was a 370 ton barque. Thanks again for the brilliant website.
Jo Cockwill, Australia, Jan. 11, 2014 mikeandjo52@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. Jo, having seen your message, I have added Emigrant (ON 2545), indeed built at Sunderland, into a new (Jan. 2023) 'Forest & Co.' listing here (previously on site page 123). I discover that it was initially registered in the name of 'Denniston', of Sunderland, intended for use in trade with Australia. Lloyd's Register of 1857/58 records 'Rounthwte' as the owner - meaning, it would seem, H. Rounthwaite & S. Mills, also of Sunderland, as per this site page. For trade ex London. The vessel is not recorded in Lloyd's Register of 1858/59, having been lost under circumstances that now, in Jan. 2023, have become known to me. I presume that the voyage to Australia that you reference is this one (1) in 1852/53.

245) Hello again! I dug this out and transcribed it as I thought it might be of interest to you in untangling the history/location of some of the shipyards, including that of James Leithead. It's a notice for the auction of a large amount of land and properties in Pallion in 1848 - http://transcriptions.leithead.org/news_leithead_shipyard_land_auction_1848.html.
Helen Leithead, Bath, England, U.K., Dec. 05, 2013 helenleithead@gmail.com Helen's website reference is http://www.leithead.org/
Webmaster's comment. Thank you again, Helen. I will as soon as I can modify the data re James Leithead both re this data & also with the other material that you have kindly provided.

244) Just chanced upon your site. Interesting to see that we are credited for much of the construction work! Best wishes.
Peter Mandell, Peter Lind & Company, London. U.K., Nov. 25, 2013 p.mandell@peterlind.com. Peter's website reference is http://peterlind.com/
Webmaster's comment. I am so glad that you found the reference, Peter! Peter Lind & Co. Ltd. is referenced within these pages because back in 1927, as you can read on this modest page, the company was the principal contractor in the building of Sunderland's Corporation Quay. The original company, established in 1915 by Danish engineer Herman Peter T. (Thygesen) Lind, (1890/1956), would seem to have gone into receivership in 1980 - today's company was soon born - formed by former employees of the original entity. A brief Wikipedia record can be found here.

243) Thank you for the wealth of information regarding Sunderland! I stumbled across the site while researching my family tree (James, Andrew and Arrow Leithead) and it's wonderful to find some information about their activities. I look forward to reading through all of the Sunderland-related pages. If you are interested in more complete information about the Leithead family in question, I may be able to assist.
Helen Leithead, Bath, England, U.K., Nov. 23, 2013 helenleithead@gmail.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message & your most kind offer of assistance. Additional information about the family Leithead would be most welcome. Such data as we now have about Sunderland shipbuilders named Leithead can be found here. And a Leithead build list is on page 146. Alan Collie, who provided most of the data from which the Leithead pages were derived, will surely have a great interest in learning more about the family.

242) Has anyone mentioned the rather impressive collection of model ships in the Toronto Art Gallery. There are several models of ships originally built in Sunderland and they are well illustrated in a rather expensive book. (I swear these models were in the Sunderland Museum when I was a child but there is a very meagre collection there now.) I was searching this site looking for a list of ships lost at sea. Can anyone help me with something like that?
Alyson Garrick, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 20, 2013 rothgarrick@rogers.com.
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your comments. While I too live in Toronto, it has been many years since I visited the Toronto Art Gallery/Art Gallery of Ontario. And when I did so maritime history & ship models were not of interest to me. A page about the Ken Thomson Collection of ship models can be accessed here. A model of Clan Alpine, a Doxford turret ship (not yet site listed) is, I read, one of the models of Sunderland built ships on display. Also Melpomene, Golconda, & Rodsley/Rawnsley/Rookley/Reaveley. The book to which Alyson refers is entitled 'Ship Models: The Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario' (BookFinder.com). It is truly splendid.
Re ships lost at sea, to my knowledge the best WWW site to visit would be a site where today a truly astounding 144,750 shipwrecks are listed - http://www.wrecksite.eu/.

241) It might be useful to note that a handful of the Doxford patents are online if you search Google re inventor: "Charles David Doxford".
There are images of SCOTTISH HERO at this link
Walter Lewis, Canada, Nov. 15, 2013 walter@maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca. Walter's website reference is http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/.
Webmaster's comment. Thank you Walter! I see those patents as you indicate - which I found by inserting 'Charles David Doxford patent' into the Google search box. I am always pleased to find new data about any 'turret' ship - & note that a couple of those patents are later patents re the turret ships. Am glad to learn of the Scottish Hero images. I have modified the site listing for the vessel accordingly.

240) What a great site. I have the owner's model of the Zamora, Ship #432, built 1905 by Joseph L. Thompson and Sons Ltd. Sunderland, England. Ship is in excellent condition in original mahogany case. Model is a half-model. She was built for Turner, Brightman and Co. London. I have owned her for @20 years. Always climate controlled. Time to downsize, would love for her to find a new home that would appreciate this great lady as we have. Rests on 2 circa 1800 block and tackles on a custom table made from antique air hatch. If interested or know someone that might be-would be great in ship builder office/lobby/collection, hotel restaurant, etc. The case is @82"x20"x10".
Phillip Milliken, St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.A., Nov. 1, 2013 kopatc@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Your message reminds me, Phillip, how far this site yet has to go! A very large number of Sunderland built vessels are detail listed on site - 1,907 of them at this moment - but there are about 8,000 more still to be detail listed! Including Zamora, which is merely named on site with limited detail along with this image of the ship, later in life as Linda. Another image of the vessel, as Keila, was lon since offered via e-Bay. The ship had a very long career - it was scrapped in 1959 at age 54. There are no less than 79 WW2 convoy references re the vessel, then named Keila, with many crossings of the North Atlantic. I do hope that a new 'home' is found for your Zamora model - a 'home' which will treasure it in the future as you have clearly done in the last 20 years.

239) I've just read your piece on William Ball and his pottery. I have an Alan Godfrey map of Pallion in 1896 and there is a pottery marked behind the Sunderland forge at the end of Railway Street and is right next to the Painshaw branch of the NER. I am currently awaiting a copy of William's birth certificate to confirm he is an ancestor of my grandfather. Your website has been an invaluable resource on Sunderland; I moved away when I was only 3 so don't remember it much! Thank you so much.
Rachel Davison, Yorkshire, U.K., Oct. 17, 2013 rachiesdavison@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. I am glad, Rachel, if you found the few words about William Ball and his Deptford pottery to be useful to you. You may well have identified William Ball's pottery's exact location for me. I do have a map of Pallion, I know. I will see if I can spot a pottery marked upon it at the location you describe. 

238) Hi, I am a member of the Guild of One Name Studies or GOONS as we are known, and have been collecting information on the GREENHEAD family worldwide for about 10 years. Whilst searching through old newspapers on the Findmypast website I found an article in the 3 July 1847 edition of the Newcastle Guardian & Tyne Mercury referring to a Schooner that had been launched by Greenhead & Co, North Sand, Sunderland. This is the first time I have found a link to my surname in the shipbuilding industry and was wondering whether during your research for this very impressive website you have any information on this firm of shipbuilders. Was it owned by a member of the Greenhead family or named after the village of Greenhead near Hadrian's Wall? Regards & thanks.
Len Greenhead, Crawley, West Sussex, U.K., Sep. 24, 2013 lengreenhead@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Len, for your message. And for kindly providing the article in question. Alas, the name of 'Greenhead' is new to me. Realistically there were many hundreds of shipbuilders at Sunderland over the centuries - maybe there was one that was named 'Greenhead'. Can anyone tell us about such a 'Greenhead'. Do please advise us if you know anything - your data to be included in a 'Greenhead' section to be hopefully soon added into the shipbuilder pages.
But .... a further thought. Could somebody who subscribes to the newspaper archive at 'NewspaperARCHIVE.com' check the pages of the Sunderland newspapers for late June 1847 or early July 1847. To see if there are references to a vessel built by Greenhead. It is possible, however, that the name should correctly have been Greenwell).

237) Went to the area recently and just drove around the locality and we wondered what we were seeing in historical terms... questions answered, well done and a great site!
Ian Castledine, Ripley Derbyshire, U.K., Sep. 21, 2013 No e-mail address provided, the writer's website reference is http://www.ukminingremains.co.uk/
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Ian, for your kind words.
May I suggest that guestbook readers go to Ian's website, via the above link, & once there click on the image at bottom right. You will be enjoy a real treat. A 10 minute slideshow, most worthy of your interest, of the remains of mining operations throughout the U.K. Now the Sunderland area has centuries of mining tradition with the many coal mines that existed throughout the area. Some day, in the future, I hope that this site will offer pages about the histories of each of those many coal mines. But ... such pages remain in the future - for the moment at least. Can anyone help in advancing such pages? If you can, your help would be much appreciated.

236) 'Boy Skipper' William Shotton was the father of my late uncle. He died on 13th January 1958 at the home of my uncle in Gillingham, Kent. I am in possession of nautical instruments presented to William by Lloyd's of London in gratitude for sailing the Trafalgar safely to Melbourne. Please contact me if you need any more information.
Angie Gledhill, Broadstairs, Kent, U.K., Sep. 12, 2013 Angiegledhill@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Angie, for being in touch. William Shotton? In 1893, when William was just 18 years old, he was a lowly third mate aboard Trafalgar, a 4 masted barque, 271 ft. long, of 1750 tons. Illness struck the ship & the Captain & all of the ship's officers died. William Shotton rose to the occasion. He assumed command of Trafalgar & successfully sailed her 3,400 miles from Batavia, Indonesia, to Melbourne, Australia. Do read the full story here.

235) Great website. I have linked to you from my website. I am trying to help a guy sell a hand built replica of a George Clark (1938) Ltd., Triple Reciprocating Steam Engine. Anyone interested should have a look at the videos & photos etc. & get in touch. Or leave a comment on his website. Thanks.
I recently met a very interesting retired gentleman (Vincent Bento Rodriguez) who has built a replica of a Triple Expansion Reciprocating Engine as built by George Clark (1938) Ltd. & The North Eastern Marine Engineering Co. (1938) Ltd. at South Docks, Sunderland. His model can be seen at this link. It took almost 5 years, 4,258 hours, to build & almost everything is hand built by him. He is looking to sell it to the highest bidder. If anyone has any ideas (other than the Tyne and Wear Museum who have already said they are not interested). Anyone got any connections with wealthy ship builders that may want to have this in their foyer? Do get in touch... 07429 270590
Steve Parkinson, Manchester, U.K., Aug. 22, 2013 steve@spmarketing.info The model website is here http://vincentebentorodriguez.weebly.com/ While Steve's own website is here  http://www.spmarketing.info
Webmaster's comment. Steve, in fact, left two guestbook messages - I have essentially combined them & show them slightly edited above. A fine image of the model itself can be seen here. A 2 minute + video of the model in operation can be seen directly here. A distinguished model indeed - I wish Vincent & Steve success with their sale.

234) Can anyone help me find information on my ancestors surname Dolphin. They lived in Sunderland and I have them as living there 1790s. Thank you for a great web site.
Ellen, Aug. 11, 2013 yorlan@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Hopefully a site visitor will be able to help Ellen with her research.

233) Hi, found this site looking for Hedley Street Sunderland, my family lived there 1911 but it is no longer there. Love the pictures.
Natalie Edgoose, Jul. 28, 2013 natbyte_me@yahoo.com
Webmaster's comment. The only reference on site to Hedley Street, so far at least, is that one of the children who died in the Victoria Hall disaster of Jun. 1883 - William Bland aged 10 lived at #66 Hedley Street. Len Charlton advises that Hedley Street was in the East Millfield area of Deptford. The houses there were what were known as 'Sunderland Cottages' i.e. modest dwellings of single story terrace design probably built in the late 1800s. Hedley Street was in a small area that was demolished in the 1960s. Len provides an image of a typical 'Sunderland Cottage'. Thanks, Len!

232) Hi, Regarding your photo on page 014 'Munro's charabancs'. I have information regarding this and confirmation that it is indeed Munro's charabancs. I am researching my partners family history and this is part of it. If you contact me on the above email address I will up date you with this information. I also have family history relating to the family Cave and ship building in Sunderland which may be of interest to you. Regards Mike.
Mike Cave, U.K., Jul. 26, 2013 mikebabes15@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thanks you, Mike, for your offer of data & assistance. It is much appreciated. The image that Mike refers to can be seen here. 

231) Hi I am hoping that you can help me. My family comes from Sunderland but I no longer live in the area & I am trying to trace my family tree. I have seen an photograph of the Mariners Arms a pub that was on the Low quay Sunderland in the mid 1800’s. This was run by members of my family. My 3x great grandparents ran this and my 2x great grandfather lived there with his wife for a short period after he arrived from the Faroe Islands. I was hoping that I could get hold of a picture of the pub but I am struggling to find anyone that has a copy. I believe that either Len Charlton or Norman Kirtlan has an original - any information that anyone has that they can share. I would be most grateful. Regards.
Richard Fitzgerald, Norfolk, U.K., Jul. 15, 2013 rfitzgerald1963@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Hopefully somebody will come to your rescue, Richard. Modest images of the 88 Low Street pub are available here & here - on the 'East-Durham.co.uk' site. If anybody has quality images of the pub, & would be content to share them, I'll gladly put them on site.

230) Re: Sunderland Ferrymen, My Grandfather, James Miller (1883-1966) owned a boat and ferried people across the river Wear. This was somewhere between 1936 and possibly 1944. My Mum was born 1936 and she can remember going to see him at work. He was employed as a railway porter in 1944 so I assume he was not ferrying then. Mum thinks he used to charge 1 penny.
Susan Honeyman, California, U.S.A., Jul. 07, 2013 labrapony@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, Susan. The Sunderland ferries, & there were many of them, are covered on site page 008. But I probably cover on that page just a small portion of all of the ferries that once existed on the river as far west as Hylton. Now the location of James Miller's ferry is not clear though it might help to know that the Miller family lived, Susan advises, in Beverley Road, Grangetown. The ferry at Coxgreen was one possibility but it would seem that Coxgreen was run by the Frost family for many decades. Hylton maybe? Perhaps a site visitor might remember the name of James Miller. Susan also asks if there is a list anywhere of River Wear ferrymen. If there is such a list, it has not come to my attention.

229) Sunderland born and bred. Been down south 25 years. Fantastic web site. Don't know if Len Charlton is still around, I hope he is. I have a bit of information for him which I think he would be interested in. Also a recently acquired photo of his old address, Beechwood Street, taken about the time he would have been growing up there. Hope to hear from you soon.
Steve McElvenny, Essex, U.K., Jul. 02, 2013 stephen.mcelvenny@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. I have alerted Len Charlton to your message, Steve. Am sure that he will soon be in touch with you.

228) I am interested in Sunderland & came across guestbook message #181 which interested me. I have read other note numbers and found most interesting comments. Excellent pages webmaster, keep up the good work. If Bill Mather (exiledmackem) reads this please get in touch with me - I will be able to help you Al.coulson@o2.co.uk. Regards to everyone.
Alan Coulson, Newcastle, U.K., Jun. 29, 2013 Al.coulson@o2.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. We hope that Bill Mather of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, will see this message & be back in touch with a new e-mail address.

227) Thanks for a very interesting site. I was born in Sunderland but left in the mid 60s and now live in Kent. While tracing my ancestors I've come across some rather strange nautical terms which you have explained, including a 'holder up'.
If anyone recognises the names Keehner, Bell, Phimister, Oxley or Wilson please get in touch. Thanks again.
Margaret, Kent, U.K., Jun. 25, 2013 markee_magic@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. I am glad that you found the site to be of interest, Margaret. See here for what a 'holder up' is. Hopefully site visitors will recognise the family names that you mention & will be in touch.

226) Hi, Just a note inform you that I observed in Lady Brunner's bedroom at Greys Court, (1, 2 & 3) Rotherfield Greys, Henley (a National Trust property) a plate on a shelf with the verse 'The loss of gold is great, the loss of health is more, But losing Christ is such a loss, As no man can restore'.
Just thought you being so knowledgeable on this, you may like to know where a 'piece is'.
I really appreciate your website and many hours work and 'Thank You' as I now know all about this plate. Very best wishes
Ms Siobain-Marie Eaton, Winchester, Hampshire, U.K., Jun. 09, 2013 chevvy.eaton@yahoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. A less-visited page on the web site records the verses on Sunderland made pottery - it includes the particular verse referred to. And a most similar verse also a little higher on the page.

225) Just a note to tell you how very good I think this site is. The enormous work that you have put into it is very apparent and you to are to be congratulated. I would particularly like to mention your great attitude to sharing the pictures, kudos to you sir.
I am enjoying very much coming to this site on a regular basis and always know that I will find interesting material. Best wishes for the future. Yours faithfully,
C. Allison, ex Royal Navy, New Zealand, Jun. 06, 2013 colin70@xtra.co.nz
Webmaster's comment. A happy visitor! I am so glad that you mention the photos, Colin. A great many of them have been provided by Clive Ketley, a U.K. collector - an unusual collector by all  accounts, who believes that the images in his collection, acquired with his own hard-earned funds, should not be hidden away from sight but rather should be shared via this & other websites. So I gladly show his images & in a good large size - most websites show images, in my opinion at least, in too small a size. And as a result lose the image's visual impact.
As this response is written, a new site page, yet incomplete, has been added that features some particularly splendid images - of paddle tug Eppleton Hall, built in 1914. Truly a Sunderland institution for many decades. It was rescued from the scrap yard, refurbished, & 'paddled' its way all the way from the River Tyne to San Francisco. Those particular images were kindly provided by a friend of the site who prefers not to be named, who clearly shares Clive's approach.

224) Dear Sir. I have just found your site and am very pleased that I did, it is very interesting and I plan to visit often. Congratulations and very best wishes for the future.
Mr. C. Allison, New Zealand, Apl. 29, 2013 colin70@xtra.co.nz The writer's website reference http://www.flickr.com/photos/alimarante
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your kind words. Sunderland site visitors should not fail to visit the writer's 'Flickr' website at the link above. The site is brilliant with large images of consistently good quality, mainly maritime in nature. But it is BIG, so view it a bit at a time. Amazingly it would seem today to contain almost 13,400 images spread over 743 pages. You will not regret 'dropping by'.

223) I am researching WWLL (WW1?) B-Class built ships. In particular I am looking for ship plans of the SS Lahore, built 1920 for P&O. Do you know where they might be? The National Maritime Museum does not have them. Look forward to your reply. Regards.
Neil Dobson, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, Apl. 29, 2013 rovarch@hotmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Alas, Neil, I do not have the knowledge to be able to help you. If any site visitor knows of such plans, or plans of any B-class vessel, perhaps they might be in touch & I'll include the data on site. Lahore (ON 137272) was, I see, built in 1920 by R. Thompson & Sons Limited of Sunderland. While en route from Calcutta, India, to London with a general cargo, the vessel was hit by a torpedo from U-124 on Mar. 8, 1941 - at 21.03N/20.38W, NE of the Cape Verde Islands in the N. Atlantic - & was abandoned the next day. Her crew of 82 were all saved.

222) Hello again. You helped me a while ago (messages 211 & 212) with my research on the ship EXPRESS. Now I'm happy to add a new Sunderland vessel to your website ~ not that you need any more! This is the iron barque JAMES BEAZLEY built by Osbourne, Graham & Co. of North Hylton in 1876 for William Kelly of Belfast. She was sold in 1878 to William Just and her name was changed to BANKFIELDS. Here are some further details:

JAMES BEAZLEY; Reg. No. 74533; built 1876 in Sunderland (Osbourne); port of registration - Liverpool? (or probably Belfast?); Owner - W. Kelly (Abercorn Terrace, Belfast); 835 gross tonnes; 195.4 ft X 32.1 ft X 19.7 ft; Master (1877) - Seabourne; sold to W. Just in 1878 (Capt. T. Venus) and name changed to BANKFIELDS; hulked and blown up by the Australian Air Force in 1950. Also - Belfast News-Letter of Thursday, June 15, 1876; Issue 18997. ADDITION TO BELFAST SHIPPING. Text here.
If you have any further information on this vessel, please let me know. I'm researching her first owner, Captain William Kelly. All the best,
Harold Bradley, Alamo, California, U.S.A., Apl. 27, 2013 hwabz@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks, Harold. Will comment later.

221) I was interested to learn from your site that Hampshire, tonnage 2597, was launched on Aug. 21 1880 for G. Marshall & Sons of London & was built by William Doxford at Pallion in Sunderland. I suspect this may be the same vessel on which my great-grandfather Thomas Glass served as Chief Engineer when he died by accidental death on Dec. 14, 1889 at Savannah, U.S.A. I have an unsigned copy of a hand-written document in splendid copperplate which reads as follows: here:
Please can you tell me if the Hampshire, which was built by Doxfords was a steam ship? If so, given that the dates match up, could it be the same vessel on which my great grandfather served?
Additional text here.
John Glass (great grandson of Thomas Glass), Pinner, Middlesex, U.K., Apl. 24, 2013 johnglass@pinner90.freeserve.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. The webmaster is neither equipped nor inclined (sorry about that!) to address such a detailed question - his hands are more than full already in maintaining this site. But ... I think that my best response would be to set out for John Glass & for others, how I, from my limited experience, would initially proceed to find the necessary basic data. Then site visitors can apply the process to their own circumstances. Some search pointers are now below - site visitors more knowledgeable than I can gladly correct or expand upon them.
Yes, the 1880 Doxford built Hampshire was a steamship.

How to proceed? In this case, based upon the limited facts as above, it is likely that the Hampshire 1889 crew lists, if available, would be helpful. To access those lists you need to know the vessel's official number. So:-
1) Visit 'Miramar Ship Index', a giant resource for ships data. Here. Search for the vessel name - Hampshire in this case. The listing will generally provide, for vessels that are listed (not all are), the vessel's year of first registry, its official number, basic data including tonnage, later names & ownership & often what happened to the vessel in the end. Miramar, which used to be free, now charges U.S. $20 a year for access. However a visitor whose needs are re a single or a few ships can register & then access the site for free for a 7 day period. More than adequate for most people. Miramar advises that there were three vessels named Hampshire in the appropriate time period. One built in 1870 was a ship (fully rigged). There were two others - a 625 ton cargo ship built in 1866 at Sunderland by Oswald. And a 2597 ton cargo ship built in 1880 at Sunderland by Doxford.
2) Check the registers. Lloyd's Registers for many years are WWW available - but by no means all years. Thru 1889/90 essentially & from 1930/31 thru 1945/46 at plimsollshipdata.org. So there is a giant data gap of over 40 years & nothing after 1945/46. You can access the registers via here & here. Data from 1857 thru 1900 is also available at Mystic Seaport (American Lloyd's Register of American & Foreign Shipping') - here. The 1889/90 edition of Lloyd's Register lists all three vessels named Hampshire. The captain of the 1880 vessel was 'M. H. Kerrnish'. The captain of the 1866 vessel was J. S. Turpin. The ship built in 1870 is recorded as 'missing'. The data about captains often proves to be imperfect. 
3) From one or more of the above sources, the Official Numbers become known - 51295 re the 1866 built Hampshire & 82810 re the 1880 built Hampshire.
4) You will need an official number to search for crew lists. Go here & insert the official numbers as above. Crew lists for 1889 seem to be in Southampton, U.K. for the 1866 vessel & in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, re the 1880 built vessel.
5) It is possible that the 1889 newspapers may have recorded the vessel & the death of Thomas Glass. Maybe the Savannah, U.S.A., newspapers, or those of London or wherever Thomas Glass lived at the time. I have had no experience of accessing any such newspapers.

220) Re Robert Pile Doxford: We live in Silksworth Hall, Sunderland Tyne Wear, U.K., where he lived at one time. Douglas Smith of Silksworth Heritage Group and Sunderland Antiquarians has lots of information particularly about the Doxfords. Regards, Anita
Anita Swalwell, Sunderland, U.K., Apl. 20, 2013 anitaswalwell@hotmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks, Anita. That is good to know. Such data as is site available about the Doxford family & the famous shipyard is here.

219) I worked in the new yard.
Alex Kypriadis, Spain, Apl. 20, 2013 m1eez@hotmail.es
Webmaster's comment. I have written to Alex to seek clarification. Will likely comment later.

218) I joined the GSNC's Seamew at S. P. Austin's yard, sailed on her maiden voyage and stayed six months in her. I remember her as a neat little ship. I've added remarks to her details.
Alistair Kerr, Te Awamutu, New Zealand, Apl. 18, 2013 akk.vkk@actrix.gen.nz
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message Alistair. Seamew, built in 1947 for General Steam Navigation Company Limited, is site listed here. Alistair's words can be read at the end of the Seamew listing.

217) Thanks for putting this website together. My wife's Great Grandfather is Thomas Rose of "The Rose Line" Sunderland. It has been very interesting to read about him.
Simon Flack, Isle of Wight, U.K., Apl. 9, 2013 simon@godsends.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. I am glad, Simon, that the site proved to be helpful to you. Such data as the webmaster has re Thomas Rose & his many enterprises is here. Principally assembled from data kindly provided by Clive Ketley. Including a fleet list. Need I say it? Additional data would be welcomed.

216) Excellent site with ample information as I am a descendant from the name "PYLE"/PILE some interesting information as I am researching my roots and also a gg aunt (Lilia) of mine married a George Haswell b.1869 and m.1896 if this is a relation of a George Haswell the shipbuilder. Feel free to email me regarding any info from both these names as I need much more info as possible. Thanks
Jean Docherty, Sunderland, Mar. 27, 2013 bennythearmy@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for writing in Jean. Alas I have no data about the names of Pyle/Pile & Haswell, additional to that which is already on site. Your 'George Haswell' may well prove to be the son of George Haswell the shipbuilder. Hopefully, a future site visitor who does have additional knowledge about the family histories, will read your message & be in touch with both of us, you via your e-mail address as above & the webmaster via this link.

215) Fascinating site, well done! I was a student in Sunderland 69/72. Married there and my son was born there. I'm a season ticket holder at the Stadium of Light!
Douglas Forrest, Cavers, Scottish Borders, Mar. 11, 2013 douglasforrest@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. I am glad, Douglas, that you have found the site to be of interest. Maybe it rekindled some good memories for you. You have a rather long commute to get to the games, it would seem.

214) Found your site quite by accident, enjoyed looking at old photos etc. I lived for a while as a small child in William St., Grangetown, later we moved to Howick St., Hendon, as l was 3 when my dad was killed we came back down south to London. We came for our next visit when l was 6/7, went to visit the people who lived on the ground floor of Howick St. Lots of fun had. We also visited family in William St., Grangetown. l came back every year in my 6 weeks of school holidays, until l out grew it. I remember a market, which had a bus station next to it ??
Family name Cockerill/Walker/Hetherington ring any bells with anybody?
Gail, The South, U.K., Mar. 8, 2013 gailjane51@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Glad that you found the site, Gail. I am sure that many folks with the family names of Cockerill, Walker & Hetherington will read your message & be in touch.

213) I am currently researching my 3x great grandfather Matthew Coates from Sunderland, Durham. I understand that he was a master mariner. He is on the Merchant Navy Seamen 1835-1836 register as being master of the ship Celeste or possibly Calesto of Sunderland. But I have not had any success in tracing this vessel or its history. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ian H. Long, U.K., Feb. 24, 2013 ianhlong@hotmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I do hope that somebody sees your message, Ian, & comes to your assistance. There certainly does not seem to be such a vessel listed in Lloyd's Register at about that time. But that is not unusual - there were loads of vessels that were not Lloyd's Register listed. An avenue of further research would be to track down the 'Port Register' for the port of Sunderland. However one does that. It may well reference your ship. If anybody knows how to access such 'Port Register', do advise the webmaster & I'll gladly include the data here.

212) This is absolutely brilliant. Thanks very much to the Webmaster & to Ian Whittaker for tracking down my ship EXPRESS to the American Lloyds Register. It now appears she was built in 1854 in St. John, NB. Other Kelly ships also came from there. She was older than I thought. Sorry we couldn't come up with a Sunderland builder for her, but I'm very pleased to learn more about EXPRESS thanks to your wonderful Sunderland website. Thanks again.
Harold Bradley, Alamo, California, U.S.A., Feb. 18, 2013 hwabz@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Both Ian Whittaker & I are happy to have been of some assistance. Even without Express, there are quite enough Sunderland built vessels for the webmaster to deal with! Would you believe about 11,000.

211) Thanks for your website, a wonderful resource. I'm researching a ship called the EXPRESS (ON 44633) that does not appear to have made it into Lloyd's Register. I do not know where she was built. The only information I have about her is from a few crew agreements which state she was a vessel of 1,118 tons and she was registered on March 27, 1862 at Liverpool. Her master and managing owner was William Kelly of Liverpool. After her maiden voyage to India and the far east in 1862-63, she next sailed from Sunderland back to India in August 1863. For this reason, I'm wondering if she might have been built at Sunderland and was returned there after her maiden voyage for repairs or retrofit. I don't see her listed as a Sunderland ship on your website but I was hoping you might keep an eye open for her and let me know if you run across a ship EXPRESS that might have been built there in the early 1860s. Thanks for any help/suggestions you can provide.
Harold Bradley, Alamo, California, U.S.A., Feb. 17, 2013 hwabz@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. I will gladly keep an eye open for references to Express, Harold. Now I do have, in my files, a truly giant list of vessels built at Sunderland from 1858 - a list compiled by John Oliver, who has spent much of his lifetime researching Sunderland built ships. My Sunderland 'build' pages are day-by-day being corrected to incorporate John's data. While John's list contains 3 vessels named Express, all are far too late to be your Express. So at first glance, your vessel may not be Sunderland built. But ... some thoughts re your message. I was under the impression, as most folks probably are also, that all British ships had to be Lloyd's registered. That is clearly not so, even though a ship of 1118 tons would have been, in the 1860s, a giant & notable ship indeed & might be expected to have been insured somewhere. Ian Whittaker (thanks Ian!) suggested recently that there must have been thousands of ships which were skipper owned that just didn't have insurance. Or had no Lloyd's insurance. He further stated that from 1786 all British ships had to be registered at a port & it is the 'Port Registers' that can tell the whole story of a ship. You might therefore find it useful to research the 'Port Registers' for the port of Liverpool. It is quite likely that they will reference your Express. The British Newspaper Archive might be another source to check. One day, when the website workload subsides, the webmaster will surely subscribe to that service  - maybe somebody who is now a subscriber can lend a hand. And ... need I say it? If any site visitor can help Harold in his quest, do please consider taking the time to do so. Via the webmaster if that is easier for you.
Through the miracle of e-mail we now know that the vessel was not built at Sunderland, rather it was built, in 1854, at St. John, by 'Ray'. But further research seems to be needed. St. John might mean Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, or alternatively St. John's, Newfoundland, now Canada. (But it is, in fact, Saint John, New Brunswick, as per the next guestbook message) The webmaster alerted Ian Whittaker, of Scotland, of the use of his words. Ian instantly researched the matter & provided this image from an edition of 'American Lloyd's Register of American & Foreign Shipping'. Just a couple of hours has elapsed from the webmaster's first seeing Harold's guestbook message to the answer - e-mail can be a true marvel when it is not abused by the low life of the world.

210) I was born in Millfield in 1957 and we used to go down to the Gill as kids and down to the 'tunnels'. We knew to keep out because of the possibility of rats. There is an image of an engine shed opposite the tunnel entrances taken in 1967/68? We used to play in there and there is an image of the inside of the shed which I found. I have just retired, really began looking for old images of Sunderland & came across images of the 'staithes' which I was not aware of. I think I can remember the structures being there however. The rail lines were not. I have a friend from Hetton who I thought may be interested and as he worked for Vaux brewery in Sunderland (which linked directly onto Gill bridge) he found and put me onto this site which is fascinating. It has really opened my eyes as to what was actually down there & why the riverbank was developed as you can still see it today. A further point is that I am related to Rowland Burdon who was behind the building of the bridge that crosses the River Wear and is visible in most of the images on the site. But that's a different story.
I think it will take me a bit longer to study & digest the information on the site which is extensive. I write as a child who found the whole area of the Gill and the tunnels and the engine shed a wonderful place to be and it brings back many happy memories. Thank You
David George Dixon, Sunderland, U.K., Jan. 29, 2013 stfddix@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. I am glad, David, that you have found the site to be of interest. It has, perhaps, rekindled some old memories for you. This is the image of the engine shed that David refers to, within a 'Len Charlton' article. David has since drawn to my attention an image of the shed's interior, now on site here.

209) I had the pleasure of meeting Len last week and spent some time listening to his stories. Thanks for the experience.
Paul Howells, Banbury, Oxfordshire, U.K., Jan. 19, 2013 pahowells@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Glad to know that. It is always a pleasure to renew old acquaintance. Len Charlton's many on site stories can be found via this page.

208) A brilliant site and full of information. Whilst tracing information during family history research I was most interested to find your site and reference to the brig 'Zoophite' 15787, built in Sunderland in 1856. My particular interest is that my Great great Grandfather, Thomas Philips, was Master of this vessel from around 1861-1871. During this time his home was Aberdeen and I have a copy of the 1861 Census which lists him, his Mate, and four crew members on board the 'Zoophite' in port at Sunderland on the night of the Census, 7th April 1861. From your site was able to see him listed as Master of the Zoophite up to 1870 from the Lloyds Register. I am interested in gaining more information about this vessel and would like to obtain plans of this or a similar snow brig of the same period to build a model. To this end I would be grateful if you have any more information or any links to help me in this search.
Tony Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, U.K., Jan. 18, 2013 tonyhalldts@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your kind words, Tony. While we know that Zoophite, site listed here, was built in Sunderland in 1856, we do not know who built her! Hopefully, some day, the shipbuilder name will emerge. I have no data about the vessel additional to that already on site, nor access to more info. Hopefully a site visitor will come to your rescue and provide a source for plans.

207) While looking thru the comments I spotted Charlie Chuck's name, my late father knew him from living down Fulwell, where Charlie would play his tin whistle, only thing is kids would tease him as he wasn't the sharpest pencil in the desk so my father gave him a stick to chase them with and every picture (usually a drawing) you see of him he has that self-same stick under his arm as he plays his tin whistle.
Alan Vincent, Old Penshaw, Sunderland, Jan. 14, 2013 alanbolan@yahoo.com
Webmaster's comment. Charlie Jeffries, also known as Charlie Chuck, was, I learn, one of Sunderland's many 'characters'. Charlie's niece, E. Dorans, of Ferryboat Lane, Hylton Castle, told us recently (Sunderland Echo, Sep. 21, 2012), as follows:- 'In answer to Stan Taylor’s letter (September 8) enquiring about Charlie Chuck .... I remember visiting him in Wellington Street, just off Stony Lane in Southwick. He lived there with his parents. I remember going to visit him with my parents many, many years ago. He would open a box he had and show me the whistles which he used to play in the street. One whistle was shaped like a fat cigar and called an Ocarina. He also had numerous pencils and sharpeners of all shapes and sizes. He would write down a list of hymns as the family were keen Salvationists. He took epileptic fits and when I was a young girl, my mother told me about the time he had a fit and pulled a large pan of boiling water over him which burnt him rather badly. Uncle Charlie was a very gentle soul. He used to pretend to chase the children when they ran after him. The stick he carried, he told me, was to keep the dogs at bay. His father died early on and his mother was left to take care of him after he died. Charlie Jeffries, that was his correct name, had to go into a home where he died.' Charlie was 'undoubtedly an accomplished musician', per p.#5 of the current 'pdf' issue of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society journal. I haven't WWW spotted any drawings of Charlie.

206) fantastic site
angry, Jan. 12, 2013
Webmaster's comment. We try!

205) Thinking of making a model of SS Bencruachan which I served on as cadet from 1954 -1957, I was looking for basic plans and came across Peter Searle's magnificent record of Sunderland where she was built.
The entry under 'Sunderland UK - shipbuilding - vessels built 1946 - entry 122' - Bencruachan is misleading. She was a Cargo Liner but, as far as I remember only had one or maybe two passenger cabins but not 26 as stated - nor did she have accommodation for 220 steerage passengers - though on occasion dozens of stevedores slept on deck during cargo loading!
Any ideas on free ship diagrams? Cheers Nigel
Nigel Johnston, Midlothian, Scotland, Dec. 19, 2012 drnjohn17@aol.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks Nigel. I must have read those passenger numbers somewhere. But I cannot tell you exactly where at this point. It may have been at a site difficult to link to - I try to avoid linking to giant web pages, such as blogs, where the data is only found by reading dozens of often repetitive entries & spotting the single entry which relates. I have fixed the Bencruachan listing accordingly. Hopefully somebody will be able to provide you with some plans.

204) I have returned to this website again and again whilst researching ancestors who were all part of 'The Age of Sail' and later of Steam. They include the Smiths, Rowells, Kish/Kershaws, Youngs, Hendersons and Thompsons (1 & 2), all names you will be familiar with, no doubt. I cannot add to your archive but it is a much appreciated source of information, for which Thanks.
Wendy Newstead, Leatherhead, Surrey, England, Dec. 3, 2012 wendy.newstead@ntlworld.com
Webmaster's comment. Thank you for your message, Wendy. The website does seem to have evolved, over the years, into something unique, i.e. one stop shopping for data & images about the history of Sunderland, most particularly images of its ships.

203) I've only scratched the surface of your Site, but I'd like to thank you for taking the time to gather together all this information about my home town. I am a member of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society whom I hope can help you with your research? If you agree, I will forward your email to the people who specialise in the history of our city? Best wishes
John Mclaughlin, Sunderland, U.K., Dec. 1, 2012 John.Mclaughlin1@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Your message is most kind, John. I have always welcomed data large or small from any source that advances the content of the web site & its accuracy. However, such assistance would be especially welcome from the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, which has, I know, been actively devoted to the preservation of knowledge about Sunderland's past for well over 100 years. Do by all means forward my contact data to others in the Society's membership.

202) I am wanting information about the Lady Gray, built Sunderland 1841 (Lloyds), owner Wingrave ??. First voyage Pictou, Nova Scotia, wrecked Great Barrier Reef, 1844.
David Conn, Middlesbrough, U.K., Nov. 9, 2012 conn415@btinternet.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your question, David, which gives me a good opportunity to clarify matters. Most site visitors believe, I think, that I have at my disposal here a vast library of maritime books, ship images, old newspapers, etc., etc. None of that is true. I have absolutely nothing. All I do re any subject, say re a specific ship such as Lady Gray, is to WWW search for data - often scattered over a great many websites. I summarise the data that I find, create a hopefully tidy & accurate summary of the vessel's history & provide links to where I myself found both data & images. I do have, however, electronic versions of many editions of Lloyd's Register, mainly downloaded from Google books.
Lady Gray is then to me an entirely 'new' vessel. I have done a partial WWW search with results that are now set out here. I do hope, David, that such data is helpful to you.

201) On page 8 of your site you mention that Commissioners' Quay may previously have been known as Thornhill's Quay.
In researching my daughter-in-law's Sunderland ancestors I have a family listed on the 1871 Census as living at Thornhill's Quay and listed as living at Commissioners' Quay on the next 2 Censuses. Although there is a possibility that they moved house between 1871 and 1881, it could be further proof that it was once know as Thornhill's Quay.
Barbara Thomas, Dorset, U.K., Nov. 7, 2012 barbara@sheridanclose.freeserve.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for writing in, Barbara. While not 100% proof, your words surely add weight to my understanding of the history.

200) Very interesting site. My grandfather, his father and uncle, and his grandfather all worked on the Hetton Railway from about the 1870s I guess. Anyway I loved your photos and there are some pictures on my photo-site you might like to have of the railway and Hetton Drops. One in particular shows my gggfather with an named keel (?) boat which I'd love to find out more about. Great work.
Meg Crosby, Herrington, Tyne and Wear, U.K., Oct. 28, 2012 Megcrosby18@gmail.com Meg's 2012 website reference, which was at Google's 'www.panoramio.com' is, alas, no longer operative, the 'panoramio' service having been discontinued.
Webmaster's comment. We do have, on this site, a fine 'Len Charlton' article about George Stephenson & the Hetton Railway here. Meg's site, now no longer operative, used to have some quite splendid images of the Hetton Railway. Hopefully some of them will soon be added into this site. Now I thought that I had already included Meg's wonderful 'keel boat' image on site, but seem not to have done so. That has now, in 2022, been corrected. But you can see it here (1 & 2). It is a beauty indeed. It used to be possible to see more of Meg's fine Hetton Railway images, but they too were at 'panoramio' & are now no longer operative. Some of them are available here. Previous links - Hetton Railway, North Moor & Hetton Railway near South Farringdon.

199) Sailed around the world for 40 + years and been on many ships (with Byers anchors), and often wondered why we cant have an old Byers anchor as a memorial to this fine company somewhere in our once proud seafaring city. I've seen them in Pompy, 2 or 3, and Plymouth to name a couple. Ex Bosun
Jambo, Sunderland, U.K., Oct. 16, 2012 ijameson@hotmail.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. A great idea. Let us hope that your fine suggestion is both read & acted upon. Many people clearly have an interest in 'Byers', witness the many guestbook messages there have been on the subject & the increasing content of the site's 'W. L. Byers & Co. Ltd.' page.

198) In reply to your request for help in naming the graveyard in Mangalore where a number of British nationals are buried, I have not been able to find an answer. However, I can confirm that the William Shotton who is laid to rest there was the first cousin of the 'boy skipper' William Shotton. They were born just a year apart. William was married to Jane Dalton Cook of Sunderland in 1903 but I have not been able to ascertain if they had any children.
Joan Johnson, Cornwall, U.K., Oct. 13, 2012 jj@landport.wanadoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Joan, for this your second guestbook message - Joan's first message, also re William Shotton, is here. I have added Joan's information into the page about William Shotton here.

197) Your list of ships built at Sunderland in 1975 omits M/V Upwey Grange (Houlder Bros. & Co. Ltd.) a standard B26 design from Austin & Pickersgill. I was her first officer and stood by through the building and launch thence on her maiden voyage.
Ian Macdonald, Hartlepool, U.K., Oct. 11, 2012 captmac99@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. Thanks for your message, Ian. I have added Upwey Grange into the 1976 build list on page 135. Hopefully soon the vessel may be detail site listed. Gradually I am trying to make the 'build by decade' pages more complete but I have a very long way to go. It is, surprisingly perhaps, particularly difficult re the later ships where data is so often fragmentary & limited. A list kindly provided by John Oliver is assisting greatly in that task.

196) http://www.searlecanada.org/sunderland/sunderland049.html#candlish. See
http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/candlishfox/aalist.htm
No writer's name provided, Oct. 10, 2012
Webmaster's comment. Thank you (whoever you are) for the link. I have added a reference to the matter at the bottom of the Candlish section here. I do not know if 'Candlish' of Sunderland is related to a Middlesbrough business with Candlish in its name - i.e. Candlish, Fox & Company.

195) Very interesting reading about my Great Great Great Grandfather Luke Blumer and his ship building Co. Has helped me add some missing dates on family tree. Was wondering if there is a maritime museum with a Sunderland collection.
Anne Blumer, Brogo, New South Wales, Australia, Oct. 10, 2012 markedwds@gmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I am glad to hear, Anne, that the site's limited data about Luke Blumer was useful to you. There were a number of folks named Luke Blumer - & they would seem to have been more associated with Hartlepool than with Sunderland.
I am advised that despite the many centuries of shipbuilding history in Sunderland, no maritime museum really exists there. To be polite about it, the powers that be in Sunderland, now and for many years prior, seem to have no appetite whatsoever for the city's distinguished maritime history. Peter Maddison was the major exception - a maritime museum was, I believe, contemplated had the City of Adelaide been returned to Sunderland where it was built instead of being shipped to far away Australia. Not to deny in any way the significance of the City of Adelaide in the immigration history of Australia. The city hall folks at nearby Hartlepool feel quite differently about their long maritime history.

194) William Shotton (the boy skipper) was my second cousin twice removed. I have researched him a little and can tell you that he didn't die until 1958, aged 82, in the district of Chatham, Kent. He married Margaret Blackie, a Scot, in 1903, and they had five boys, all born in the south of England. William left Sunderland when his father Stephen took the whole family to live in Hewelsfield, Gloucestershire, sometime during the 1880s.
Stephen was married three times and fathered fifteen children, William being the third eldest. Stephen must have been a prosperous man because on the 1911 census he and his family are living in an eighteen roomed house.
Joan Johnson, Cornwall, U.K., Oct. 6, 2012 jj@landport.wanadoo.co.uk
Webmaster's comment. Maintaining & expanding this website does demand, day by day, much of my available time. But I consider myself well rewarded by messages such as this, about a most recent page that has already, clearly, been noticed - however that happens. The page about William Shotton is here. Boy Skipper? In late 1893, at just age 18, William Shotton was third mate aboard Trafalgar, a 1765 ton barque. When his ship's officers all died from Java fever, circumstances demanded that he effectively assume command of the vessel - & he successfully navigated it, in most difficult circumstances, from Jakata, Indonesia, to Melbourne, Australia. I have added Joan's information into the page.

193) I have a pic of a pink lustre 7 inch bowl 'The Sailor's Farewell', also a pic of a 7 1/2 inch high pink lustre pitcher, name on the front of pitcher is Andrew Rall, 1842.
Audrey Mardon, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.A., Oct. 5, 2012 jewelryquest@aol.com
Audrey's website reference http://www.etsy.com/listing/111042915/1850-sailors-farewell-bowl-sunderland, & here (re the Andrew Rall, 1842, pitcher).
Webmaster's comment. Thank you, Audrey. On my web page which records verses on Sunderland pottery, an image of one particular text has long eluded me - but thanks to Audrey Mardon it can now be made available via the red box here (England England ...). Audrey indicates that the verse was written by Richard Howitt & can be found in The Metropolitan, Volume 21, written in 1838.

192) Great website! I bought the book from e-Bay recently and it's a great story. Fascinating to see photos of the actual ship ...
Damian, Yorkshire, U.K., Sep. 29, 2012 golden-pencil@hotmail.com
Webmaster's comment. I should explain that Damian recently bought via e-Bay a copy of 'The Boy Skipper', a book which records the story of William Shotton of Sunderland - in late 1893, the third mate aboard Trafalgar, a 1765 ton barque. Java fever killed the ship's officers, & in most difficult circumstances, the 18 year old Shotton safely navigated Trafalgar about 3,400 miles  You can read all about it here. I had written to Damian on the off chance - to enquire, in view of his purchase of the book, if he had any additional data about Shotton that might be added to the story.