Shipbuilding Collection

New Hydraulic Lift at the Victoria Docks, 1858. Creator: Walmsley
New Hydraulic Lift at the Victoria Docks, [London], 1858. The new graving-docks in connection with the Victoria Docks, the construction of which was commenced about two years back

Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd yard February 1959. Workers at the launch of the Regent Eagle Texaco oil tanker

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

The Esso Northumbria supertanker being built at Swan Hunter shipyard in Wallsend. Circa April 1969

The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited was a Scottish shipbuilding company in the Govan area on the Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. 5th January 1966

Wallsend-on-Tyne - Shipbuilding and the BP Tanker British Hazel in dock. Date: 1963

Govan Shipbuilders Ltd was a British shipbuilding company based on the River Clyde at Glasgow in Scotland. It operated the former Fairfield Shipyard

The launch of HMS Eagle aircraft carrier
Launch of HMS Eagle, Royal Naval aircraft carrier by Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) in Belfast, 1946

Part of the tremendous stores of Stephen and Sons Ltd shipyard, Glasgow. This was a Scottish shipbuilding company based in Linthouse, Govan in Glasgow, on the River Clyde. Circa, 1950s

A nuclear submarine berthing at Devonport docks, Plymouth, Devon, 1980. The site has been established as a naval construction and refit yard since 1690

Devonshire Dock - Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria Date: circa 1910s

Shipbuilding, Glasgow, Scotland, 6th March 1971. Face of Britain 1971 Feature

Hole torn in the hull of RMS Olympic after the collision with HMS Hawke in the Solent, 1911
Hole torn in the hull of RMS Olympic after the collision with HMS Hawke in the Solent, 20th September 1911. The collision took place as Olympic

Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company - Building a Warship Victorian period

The RFA Sir Tristram enters the River Tyne after an 8, 000 mile rescue operation following the Falklands Conflict. On board were a handful of ship repair yard workers

Shipyard workers, engineers and boilermakers leave after the first day at work at Scott Lithgow shipyard on the River Clyde, Scotland October 1972

Launching the HMS Ark Royal
The launch of the HMS Ark Royal, Royal Naval aircraft carrier at Birkenhead, 1950

The launch of Royal Navy battleship HMS Prince of Wales at the C
Launch of Royal Navy battleship HMS Prince of Wales at the Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead 1939

Election poster, The Great Naval Eclipse 1900 to 1910, a vote for the radicals is a vote against the British Navy. circa 1910s

A colourised version of a version of classic photograph from the Chronicle archive, summer holidays. A child plays in the shadow of one of the supertankers, Tyne Pride, built at Swan Hunter, 1975

The Royal Navys aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious seen here under construction at the Swan Hunter Shipbuilders yard on the Tyne at Wallsend. 13th December 1977

Shipyard cranes rise above tenement apartment buildings by the River Clyde in Scotland March 1971

The ship Oxfordshire later renamed the Fairstar, the (Fun Ship) was a popular Australian cruise ship operating out of Sydney during a career lasting almost 25 years

Sir Arthur Helps, Vanity Fair, Ape
Sir Charles Mark Palmer, 1st Baronet (1822 1907), English shipbuilder born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear (county Durham), England. He founded Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company in 1852

Messrs Vickers Iron Foundry - Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. Date: circa 1910s

Only a few groups of men stand chatting at the gate of a deserted Manchester dock May 1951 P011969

A helmet hanging with welders goggles amongst the empty cranes after the closure of Govan Shipbuilders shipyard in Scotland August 1979

The Cunard White Star Liner the RMS Queen Mary makes her way down the River Clyde to commence her sea trials. Circa 1936

The band headed the procession of strikers from Swan Hunter shipbuilders in Wallsend

The giant size of the dry dock at Brigham and Cowans, South Shields is seen here with the ship that is now in for inspection & repairs. Circa 1960

Orient on the Clyde (oil on canvas)
476711 Orient on the Clyde (oil on canvas) by Walters, Samuel (1811-82); 92.1x154.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Orient Line Steam Ship.); Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Members certificate of the Associated Shipwrights Society (colour litho)
BAL5874 Members certificate of the Associated Shipwrights Society (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Trades Union Congress, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Glasgow (colour litho)
2797826 Glasgow (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Glasgow. Illustration for card from game called The Kingdoms Of Europe by John Jaques)

John Browns shipbuilding industry on the River Clyde in Glasgow, Singer clock tower in the distance Circa 1951

Finnieston Cantilever Crane, Stobcross Quay, Glasgow, Scotland. Date: 1950s

Saunders Shipyard (Interior), Cowes, 1938. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Saunders Shipyard (Interior), Cowes, 1938

Shipbuilding scene, 1941. Artist: Cecil Beaton
Shipbuilding scene, 1941. From Air of Glory, by Cecil Beaton. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1941]

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)

The launch of the Cunard White Star Liner - Queen Mary by HM The Queen at Clydebank, Septmeber 26th, 1934. Now permanently located at Long Beach, California, United States. Date: 1934

The frame of an iron ship on the stocks at Samuda's shipbuilding yard, Cubit Town, Isle of Dogs, London
2602896 The frame of an iron ship on the stocks at Samuda's shipbuilding yard, Cubit Town, Isle of Dogs, London. Engraving, London

Laird's shipbuilding yards, 1850
3330522 Laird's shipbuilding yards, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of Laird's shipbuilding yards at Liverpool. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Peter I the Great learns shipbuilding in Holland - Peter the Great learning shipbuilding in Holland
NWI4945338 Peter I the Great learns shipbuilding in Holland - Peter the Great learning shipbuilding in Holland. Hand-colored halftone; (add.info)

The use of a hydraulic punch to make rivet holes, 1850
3359932 The use of a hydraulic punch to make rivet holes, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the use of a hydraulic punch to make rivet holes)

Diagram of Robert Napier's marine steam engine
5309314 Diagram of Robert Napier's marine steam engine; (add.info.: Diagram of Robert Napier's marine steam engine. Robert Napier (1791-1876) a Scottish marine engineer

Building a Battleship (colour litho)
3626857 Building a Battleship (colour litho) by Oakley, Thornton (1881-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: Building a Battleship)

Mare & Co.'s iron shipbuilding works, 1850
3330525 Mare & Co.'s iron shipbuilding works, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of Mare & Co.'s iron shipbuilding works, Row Creek, Blackwall. In the background a Nasmyth hammer is in use)

On the Tyne, 1914 (ink, pencil & w/c on board)
1214152 On the Tyne, 1914 (ink, pencil & w/c on board) by Bertram, Robert John Scott (1871-1953); 50.5 x32.5 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Launch of ARIZONA, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Launch of ARIZONA, between c1910 and c1915.

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Shipbuilding has long been a symbol of human ingenuity and craftsmanship, as seen in Isambard Kingdom Brunel standing proudly before the launching chains of the Great Eastern. The Esso Northumbria supertanker being constructed at Swan Hunter shipyard in Wallsend showcases the immense scale and complexity of these vessels. Wallsend-on-Tyne, known for its rich shipbuilding history, stands as a testament to the skill and dedication of those involved in this industry. Glasgow, Scotland, on March 6th, 1971 - a date etched into British maritime history. Shipbuilding takes center stage as it is featured in Face of Britain 1971 Feature. The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited played a significant role in shaping Scotland's shipbuilding legacy. The launch of HMS Eagle aircraft carrier exemplifies both power and grace combined with meticulous engineering precision. Govan Shipbuilders Ltd on the River Clyde continues this proud tradition by contributing to Britain's naval strength. Devonshire Dock in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria serves as an emblematic location where dreams take shape amidst steel and iron. Stephen and Sons Ltd shipyard stores are filled with treasures waiting to be transformed into majestic vessels that will conquer the seas. Witnessing a nuclear submarine berthing at Devonport docks evokes awe-inspiring feelings about our technological advancements over time. Plymouth, Devon becomes synonymous with innovation within the maritime industry during this era. History reminds us that even great ships can face challenges; RMS Olympic bears witness to this truth after colliding with HMS Hawke in the Solent back in 1911. Yet from adversity comes resilience - launching HMS Ark Royal demonstrates our unwavering determination to overcome obstacles while forging ahead towards new horizons. In every rivet hammered down or weld meticulously crafted lies not only an expression of human creativity but also an embodiment of national pride. Shipbuilding remains more than just an industry.