TYNE BUILT SHIPS
A history of Tyne shipbuilders and the ships that they built

Home

Shipbuilders

Ships

River Views

About

Copyright

Select

Shipbuilder

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

XYZ

Above: Select the required shipbuilder by using initial letter of the surname eg: Armstrong, Palmer or Readhead.
KEY BELOW: D / H / P (D means basic dimensions are shown; H means a history is given; P means one or more photographs are available)
Below: (TT) indicates that the link will open up in a new window belonging to our sister web site Tyne Tugs

Shipbuilder: John & David Morris, Pelaw Main (1847 - 1921)

Shipbuilder: J & D Morris Ltd, Pelaw Main (1918 - 1921)


The yard was built by John and David Morris at Pelaw Main a short distance downstream from Bill Quay. Their principal activity was ship repairing however they also reputedly built some 70 new vessels during their near 80 years of existance. In 1855 J & D Morris were advertising a "patent slip for vessels of 20 to 30 keels, plus gridirons and a good graving shore".

The yard survived a severe fire in July of 1882, when all their wooden buildings such as joiners shops etc were destroyed in the blaze. The yard was rebuilt and in its later years had 3 building berths and two slips of 238 and 350 feet respectively. However after a severe trade slump, the firm was liquidated in 1923, with their last ship GREYFRIARS still on the stocks. She was eventually completed by Mitchison of Friars Goose, Gateshead.


Yd No Year Ship Name D / H / P
1847 Friendship D / H
1848 Elswick (TT) D / H
1861 Morris's D / H
1863 Hebe D / H
1865 Neptun (TT) D / H
1872 Dolly Varden D / H
1872 Nero D / H
1875 Vigilant D / H
64 1918 Squadron D / H / P
65 1919 Chelsham D / H / P
66 1919 Rivelin D / H / P
67 1920 Jolly Marie D / H / P
68 1920 Mickleham D / H / P
69 1921 Edenside D / H / P
70 1921 Mondara D / H
71 1923 Greyfriars D / H / P
--- ----- -------------- ---------