S A Wikner - 1950

[Whickham]

Came across this photo on the web (copyright PAPhotos) caption:

"An unusual launch for a self-propelled steel Wherry at the Wallsend-on-Tyne yard of Clellands (Successors) Limited for the National Gas Board. The shallow water boat is being launched by "Titan", a giant floating crane"

The vessel in question is the S A Wikner built by Clelands (Successors) Ltd at Willington Quay in 1950. According to the WSS list she was built for the Northern Gas Board (Newcastle Division). I am sure that this is not a launch but a loading onto a cargo boat, but what, why etc? What were the NGB using her for? Where?

Answers on a post card please (or here if you prefer)

[magoonigal]

Ahh well in this case you are wrong, Dave.

The S. A. WIKNER was indeed Owned and Operated by the Northern Gas Board.

Her dimensions were 69.3 x 21.7 x 7.2 (Depth of Hold) Feet.
57 Net, 87 Gross, 11 HP Engine.

She came under the management of Joseph E White, who in my day was the Deputy Chairman.

The Board had Works at Elswick and Redheugh with a By-Products Works at St Anthony's. (Tar Works).

All were coal fired and had access to the River so it made perfect sense to transport materials between all three by River.
She was still being used in 1955 but what happened to her after that I don't know.

GREAT PICTURE!!

The Crane would be TITAN II.

[Whickham]

Wrong AGAIN

Thanks Paul. Another piece of local history that seems to have gone unrecorded. Till now.

[magoonigal]

MMMMM Yes Dave. I'd love to find out more about her, how long she was on the River etc.....

I suspect she was gone before I started. I have one contact who might know more about her but I don't have a current address.

My last MNL is 1955 and the on-line ones are much earlier.

Both Gasworks closed in the early 70's with the onset of Natural Gas although the more modern plant at Howdon stayed for a bit longer. The main reformer plant was at Whitehill Point after that.