Ship Building Collection

Isambard Kingdom Brunel Standing Before the Launching Chains of the Great Eastern, 1857, printed 1863-64

Building ships in preparation for war, Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, Normandy, France, Europe

Poster for This Working Life: Tales from the Shipyard at BFI Southbank (7 - 22 February 2011)
Face of Britain: Shipyard (Paul Rotha) (1935) The building of the S.S. Orion at Barrow-in-Furness

Poster for the RMS Majestic
Poster for visits to the RMS Majestic, the worlds largest liner in the worlds largest dock, the King George V graving dock in Southampton

The Shipbuilder, Special Aquitania Number
Front cover of The Shipbuilder industry journal, June 1914 issue, focusing on the Cunard cruise liner Aquitania, launched the same year

HMS Courageous, British battlecruiser, WW1
HMS Courageous, British battlecruiser, launched 1916, served during the latter part of the First World War, converted to use as an aircraft carrier during the late 1920s

Tyneside Shipyard
Shipbuilding on the River Wear in Sunderland, Tyneside

Boys Watching Ship
A group of boys lean against the dock railings and watch a steamship being built

Peter I, the Great (1672-1725) at Deptford Dockyard, 1857 (oil on canvas)
RHC9705 Peter I, the Great (1672-1725) at Deptford Dockyard, 1857 (oil on canvas) by Maclise, Daniel (Croquis, Alfred) (1806-70); 152.3x243.7 cm; Royal Holloway

A Prospect of Chatham Dock from Finsbery Windmill (engraving)
XJF3058229 A Prospect of Chatham Dock from Finsbery Windmill (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. Creator: Akselrod. Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899
Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. This album of six photographs depicts the launch of the icebreaking ferry Baikal at the village of Listvenichnoye on the western shore of Lake Baikal

Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. Creator: Akselrod. Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899
Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. This album of six photographs depicts the launch of the icebreaking ferry Baikal at the village of Listvenichnoye on the western shore of Lake Baikal

Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. Creator: Akselrod. Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899
Ice-Breaking Ferry "Baikal", 1899. This album of six photographs depicts the launch of the icebreaking ferry Baikal at the village of Listvenichnoye on the western shore of Lake Baikal

Vaasa Province, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Vaasa Province, 1856. This card is one of a souvenir set of 82 illustrated cards-one for each province of the Russian Empire as it existed in 1856

Launch of Her Majesty's armour-plated screw-frigate Caledonia, 31 guns, at Woolwich... 1862. Creator: Unknown
Launch of Her Majesty's armour-plated screw-frigate Caledonia, 31 guns, at Woolwich, [London], 1862....the vessel having been named by Miss Nicolson, daughter of the Commodore Superintendent

The Australian clipper-ship The Royal Family, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Australian clipper-ship The Royal Family, 1862. Sailing ship built by Messrs. W. and R. Wright at St. John, New Brunswick. She is consigned to the well-known firm of Messrs

Floating pontoons or dock prepared by Messrs. Rennie and Son for the government of Spain, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Floating pontoons or dock prepared by Messrs. Rennie and Son for the government of Spain, 1862. Now that Spain is endeavouring to regain her position amongst the chief nations of Europe

Lambeth, 1816-1821 (watercolour on paper)
7528520 Lambeth, 1816-1821 (watercolour on paper) by Edridge, Henry (1769-1821); 37x26.5 cm; Gallery Oldham, UK; (add.info.: This scene shows the river Thames looking towards Vauxhall)

England, Hampshire, The New Forest, Bucklers Hard 18th century Ship Building Village

River view with large rock, 1601 (oil on copper)
7412458 River view with large rock, 1601 (oil on copper) by Brill or Bril, Paul (1554-1626) (after); 22.8x29.3 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (add.info.: copy after Paul Bril)

Peter the Great: The Creator of the Old Russian Empire, illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge
IL281076 Peter the Great: The Creator of the Old Russian Empire, illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge (colour litho) by Tennant, C

Peter the Great in the dockyard at Deptford (litho)
STC343854 Peter the Great in the dockyard at Deptford (litho) by Tennant, C. Dudley (1867-1952); Private Collection; (add.info)

View of the East River, New York c. 1750 with a ship-building centre (litho)
PNP377486 View of the East River, New York c.1750 with a ship-building centre (litho) by American School; Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures

Ship Builders Auger, 1938. Creator: Erwin Stenzel
Ship Builders Auger, 1938

Shipbuilders Yard, Liverpool, 1875. Creator: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Shipbuilders Yard, Liverpool, 1875

Hawsing Iron, 1939. Creator: William Frank
Hawsing Iron, 1939

Shipbuilding (drypoint)
1069236 Shipbuilding (drypoint) by Haskell, Ernest (1876-1925); 23.5x28.7 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; gift of Mr. and Mrs

On the Upper Rhine, 19th century (w / c)
6199767 On the Upper Rhine, 19th century (w/c) by Bentley, Charles (1805/6-54); 16.5x26.4 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; Dundee Art Galleries and Museums; English, out of copyright

Ship Building (engraving)
670342 Ship Building (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ship Building. Illustration for The Pictorial History of England (W & R Chambers, 1858)

Women at work in a Naval ship-building yard, 1916 (b / w photo)
443399 Women at work in a Naval ship-building yard, 1916 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures; English, out of copyright

Towing a Warship out of Bristol Harbour, 1783 (w / c on paper)
LMG109109 Towing a Warship out of Bristol Harbour, 1783 (w/c on paper) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 37x52.7 cm; Leeds Museums and Galleries (Leeds Art Gallery)

Ship Building at Limehouse, the President on the stocks (colour litho)
815393 Ship Building at Limehouse, the President on the stocks (colour litho) by Parrott, William (1813-69); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ship Building at Limehouse, the President on the stocks)

American ship-building novelties (engraving)
736240 American ship-building novelties (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: American ship-building novelties)

Naval dockyard, illustration from the Encyclopedie des Sciences et Metiers
REV326114 Naval dockyard, illustration from the Encyclopedie des Sciences et Metiers by Denis Diderot (1713-84) engraved by Robert Benard (fl.1734) published c.1770 (coloured engraving) by Goussier

Peter the Great at Deptford Dockyard (litho)
STC358013 Peter the Great at Deptford Dockyard (litho) by Maclise, Daniel (1806-70) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Scene at a Clyde Shipyard, (Messrs Beardmore & Co), from British Artists at the Front
STC255976 Scene at a Clyde Shipyard, (Messrs Beardmore & Co), from British Artists at the Front, continuation of The Western Front, 1918 (colour litho) by Lavery

The Jewel Office in the Tower of London, Rag Fair and Old Clothes and Ship Building
6340344 The Jewel Office in the Tower of London, Rag Fair and Old Clothes and Ship Building by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: The Jewel Office in the Tower of London)

Figurehead, c. 1937. Creator: John Davis
Figurehead, c. 1937

Two Large Ships under Construction. Creator: N. Artsay
Two Large Ships under Construction

Women Power - The picture shows women welders at Blyth Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in 1947. They were employed there during the war and owing to the great demand for Welders returned to work

Making Propeller Blades, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Making Propeller Blades, 1917

Submarines in Dry Dock, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Submarines in Dry Dock, 1917

Building the Bismarck, Hamburg, 1914. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Building the Bismarck, Hamburg, 1914

Building the Battleship, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Building the Battleship, 1917

Building Destroyers, No. I, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Building Destroyers, No.I, 1917

Under the Shed, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Under the Shed, 1917

The Old Shipyard, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Old Shipyard, 1916

Building Submarine Chasers, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Building Submarine Chasers, 1917

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"Ship Building: A Journey Through Time and Craftsmanship" Step back in time to witness the awe-inspiring process of ship building, where innovation meets tradition. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a visionary engineer, stands proudly before the launching chains of the magnificent Great Eastern, symbolizing human determination and progress. From preparing for war to creating works of art, shipyards have played a pivotal role throughout history. The Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy showcases scenes of ships being built as part of military preparations, reminding us that even in times of conflict, craftsmanship thrives. In This Working Life: Tales from the Shipyard exhibition at BFI Southbank, we delve into the stories behind these colossal structures. Posters depicting RMS Majestic and Aquitania highlight their grandeur and elegance—testaments to meticulous design and engineering prowess. The Shipbuilder magazine's Special Aquitania Number takes us inside the heart of shipbuilding culture—a celebration of skillful hands shaping dreams into reality. Meanwhile, HMS Courageous serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I by British battlecruisers. Young eyes filled with wonder watch intently as ships take shape before them—an enduring image capturing generations fascinated by this age-old craft. Tyneside Shipyard becomes a bustling hub where hardworking men forge vessels that will sail across oceans with pride. Traveling further back in time reveals Peter I standing tall at Deptford Dockyard—an oil painting frozen in history showcasing his dedication to expanding Russia's naval might. And an engraving titled "A Prospect of Chatham Dock from Finsbery Windmill" offers a glimpse into daily life within these vibrant shipyards centuries ago. One cannot discuss ship building without mentioning one iconic vessel—the Titanic. Witness her birth amidst towering cranes and skilled artisans who poured their hearts into constructing what would become both legend and tragedy on that fateful night. Finally, let us not forget the beauty that surrounds shipyards.