William Naizby (per information from the fantastic personal project https://m.ghgraham.org/williamnaizby.html) was born around 1796 at Sacriston, and built here for much of his life. His 5 children lived here, and latterly died in 1868 a year after the last ship was constructed. William is buried at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.

Naizby's yard was situated at Ford, these days just off Claxheugh Road down a small lane (which looks in situ) to the riverside and Hylton. Here there was a dock, crane and sawpit which Naizby built up in his mid 30s. Altogether he constructed at least 45 wooden vessels here which went on to circle the world, with his vessels registered in Bombay, Auckland and Stettin amongst other areas.

William was in his 70s by the time closure came around, making him a veteran of Wearside shipbuilding. Only a year after on Christmas day he sadly died. He had no sons so the business was not inherited by his family.

The yard went on to be owned by a Mr Edward Henderson into the 1910s, who may have been a shipbreaker. He put it up for let in 1913 and, into the next few decades, seemingly became forlorn into its current state.

The dock, in its most primitive sense, may still be extant. There is an inlet within the old yard which may indicate the presence of the old dock however I haven't been down in years to check it out.