northsands

Big ships on the Tyne. There's something very special about these images.

Thank you for the series. It's been amazing watching her come together.

I agree, such a great series, fascinating and often astonishing.

Thanks for all your kind words. It's been a pleasure to be able to share these with you - and there are more to come.

Wonderful.

First class Modell

It's a fascinating picture. Thanks for sharing.

"Built by J. L. Thompson & Sons, Ltd., Sunderland, for the South American Saint Line, this motor vessel set a new standard in post-war ship design and, with her low-slung motor cruiser lines, was the shape of things to come. In 1948, the most striking and unusual feature of the ‘St Essylt’ was the raked and streamlined funnel, which today would provoke little comment. The funnel casing housed not only the engine’s exhaust system, but also radar equipment, cabin heating system, battery room and pilot’s cabin. Inside the vessel, there was accommodation for 12 passengers. The accommodation for officers and crew was a considerable improvement on contemporary British standards, and the design won the Watts Prize awarded by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. ‘St Essylt’ was 144 metres in length, 6855 gross tons and the single acting Doxford diesel engine gave a service speed of 14.5 knots. Following a long career in which she had two changes of owners and name, ‘Yunnan’ and ‘Lucky Two’, she was broken up in 1979." - collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/67577.html

Wonderful photo and history. Thanks to Tyne and Wear Archives for sharing.