top of page

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. 

Scroll down to discover the famous shipyards which fuelled the growth of this great region.

0
47
94
141
188
235
282
329
376
423
470
517
564
611
658
705
752
799
846
893
940

WAL004

Tyne

Crutwell's Shipyard

Wallsend

Wallsend

George Crutwell

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

BLY005

Blyth

Wellington Street, Shipyard

Blyth

Cowpen

Charles Clark & Henry Taylor (1810), George Bowman & Thomas Drummond (1830s - 1862), John Hodgson & Robert Soulsby (1863), Blyth Shipbuilding Co

Created:

13 Jul 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

HD005

Tyne

Howdon Dock

Wallsend

Howdon

Francis Hurry, Charles Smith, Straker & Love, Thomas Turnbull

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SUN022

Wear

Doxford Shipyard (West)

Sunderland

Pallion

William Doxford, William Doxford & Sons Ltd., Northumberland Shipbuilding Co., Sperling Group, Doxford & Sunderland Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Sunderland Shipbuilders Ltd, British Shipbuilders Ltd

Created:

11 Dec 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

HAR005

Hartlepool

Middleton Shipyard

Hartlepool

Middleton

John Denton, William Gray, Denton Gray & Co. (1839 - 1869), Withy Alexander, Christopher Furness, Edward Withy, Edward Alexander, Furness Withy & Co. Ltd. (1869 - 1909), Irvine's Shipbuilding and Dry Docks Co. Ltd. (1909 - 1930), Irvine's Shipbuilding and Dry Docks Co. (1930) (1930 - 1938), National Shipbuilders Security, The Admiralty

Created:

18 Dec 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

NCL004

Tyne

Pandon Burn, Medieval Shipyard

Newcastle

North Shore

Unknown

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

GD003

Tyne

Harrison's Shipyard

Gateshead

Bill Quay

William M Boutland (1818 - 1854), Robert Maddison (1834 - 1852)William E Boutland (1872 - 1879), RB Harrison & Sons Ltd. (1921 - 1960), MEP Group (until 1980s)

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SS017

Tyne

Stone Quay

South Shields

Holborn

William Gilley (1787 - 1791) Thomas Metcalf (1814 - 1860s), J T Eltringham (1864 - 1913), Middle Dock Engineering Co.

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

TWE001

Tweed

Todd's Shipyard

Berwick upon Tweed

Tweedmouth

Joseph Todd, John Robertson, John Miller Dickson

Created:

24 Aug 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

GD005

Tyne

Reed's Shipyard

Gateshead

South Shore

Thomas Reed

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

GD006

Tyne

Headlam's Shipyard

Gateshead

South Shore

Headlam & Co.

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SUN023

Wear

Mowbrays Quay

Sunderland

Pallion

John Mowbray, John Hodgson, George Short

Created:

5 Feb 2025

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

Map
logo0623.png

Background photo: Readhead's Shipyard c1960 by Ronald Sanderson, copyright free from Tyne and Wear Archives

Historic Maps provided by

nls-logo.png
bottom of page