Above map, dated 1912, shows the location of the yard. Map is copyright of Ordnance Survey
In 1883 McIntyre & Co Ltd built a new shipbuilding yard on the elbow of the River Tyne at Hebburn. It had a river frontage of 800 feet and five building berths within a total area of 17 acres. However the yard was shortlived and in 1887 Robert Stephenson took over the site. In 1888 a boiler shop was built and a shear-legs capable of lifting 100 tons was also erected. A large graving dock, 700 feet long, 90 feet wide and 29 feet deep at the entrance was added in 1904. Stephensons did not prove successful and their last ship was completed in 1909.
The yard became part of Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd in 1912 and 92 ships were built at the yard up to 1931.
Then with Palmers' collapse in 1932, the yard was again closed.
The Palmer yards were acquired by National Shipbuilders Security Ltd in 1933 as part of the drive to decrease shipbuilding capacity in the UK.
The Jarrow yard was eventually dismantled but the Hebburn yard was allowed to re-open in 1934 as part of Vickers Armstrong, but shipbuilding was not allowed and the yard opened as a ship repairing yard only.
During the Second World War, the yard was heavily involved in the repair of warships.
Following closure in 1970 the yard was merged with Swan Hunter in 1972.
Above photo dated 1936 shows the empty shipbuilding berths. Photo is copyright of Britain from Above
The above photo shows the site of the Palmers yard at Hebburn. Even though the photo dates from 1936 the key features of the Palmer yard are still visible.
Note the dry dock at bottom centre and to the right of that the long diagonal crane gantry, then the building berths and finally at the top right of the photo the Hawthorn-Leslie yard is just visible with a ship on the berth.
Above photo dated 1936 shows the empty shipbuilding berths. Photo is copyright of Britain from Above
Above photo dated 1936 shows the empty shipbuilding berths. Photo is copyright of Britain from Above
Above photo shows the long crane gantry. Photo is courtesy of Kevin Blair
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