
Shipbuilding Archive.
The North East was the engine of the world. It powered the planet with its coal, but transported it with its ships. Though the docks are filled in, the collective memory of the hard graft and creaking hulls live on.
The Shipbuilding Archive is an ongoing, long term project to uncover and document every known shipyard in the North East and its location. From medieval times to the 18th and 19th centuries, pinning names and stories to our to our river banks provides even greater meaning to the landscapes around us.

SUN021
Wear
Doxford Shipyard (East)
Sunderland
Pallion
Created:
27 Nov 2024
Updated:
7 Jan 2026

SUN011
Wear
Bartram & Sons, South Dock Shipyard
Sunderland
Sunderland
Created:
22 May 2024
Updated:
17 Dec 2025

SUN028
Wear
Bridge Dock
Sunderland
Monkwearmouth
Created:
30 Apr 2025
Updated:
26 Nov 2025
Background photo: Readhead's Shipyard c1960 by Ronald Sanderson, copyright free from Tyne and Wear Archives








