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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.

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SUN005

Wear

Low Street, Alcock Shipyard

Sunderland

Sunderland

James Leithead, Andrew Leithead (1827 - 1834) John Thomas Alcock, Charles Alcock, Robert Hutton Potts

Created:

24 Mar 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SUN003

Wear

Wear Dockyard

Sunderland

Bishopwearmouth

William Adamson, Peter Austin, Samuel Peter Austin (SP Austin & Son), Austin and Pickersgill

Created:

12 Mar 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

BQU001

Tyne

Bill Quay, Wood Skinner Yard

Gateshead

Bill Quay

Wood, Skinner & Co Ltd. (1885 - 1925)

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SS019

Tyne

Corstorphine Town, Boatbuilding Works

South Shields

South Shields

Robson (Boat Builders) Ltd

Created:

18 Jan 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

bidd01

Wear

South Biddick Shipyard

Sunderland

Washington

Thomas Lanchester

Created:

22 May 2025

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SUN010

Wear

North Sands Shipyard

Sunderland

Monkwearmouth

John Laing & David Laing (1792 - 1805), John Hutchinson (1809 - 1815), John Brown (1809 - 1812), James Crone (1812 - 1825), Frank Oliver & John Harrison (1830 - 1835), William Barklay & Co. (1860 - 1868)

Created:

26 Apr 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

GD002

Tyne

Tyne Main, Shipyard

Gateshead

Gateshead

Robson & Gray, Gaddy & Lamb

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SEA002

Seaham

Seaham Harbour, South Shipyard

Seaham

William Henzell (1834 - 1853), Edward Potts (1853 - 1861), Robert Potts (1861 - 1880), George Hardy

Created:

19 Oct 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

HD002

Tyne

Tyne Improvement Commission, Repair Yard

Wallsend

Howdon

Tyne Improvement Commission, William Press Ltd.

Created:

9 Jun 2023

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

HYL001

Wear

North Hylton, Lister & Bartram Shipyard

Sunderland

North Hylton

George Bartram, John Lister, Robert Appleby Bartram

Created:

3 May 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

HYL003

Wear

Hylton Ferry, Shipyard

Sunderland

South Hylton

Thomas Davie, Nicholas Davie

Created:

2 Oct 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

SUN007

Wear

North Sands, Austin Yard

Sunderland

Monkwearmouth

Peter Austin

Created:

2 Apr 2024

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

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

Historic Maps provided by

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