Northern Star

[GDTURNER]

Taken June 1962

[Keelman]

Departing for sea trials. Apparently she later went round to the Clyde and the measured mile off Arran.
In the last photo I think she is leaving flying the Shaw Savill houseflag

[magoonigal]

With a hint to the hundreds of people who lined the River to see her go...

Might be getting mixed up but did'nt Turners make a film of the building of the NORTHERN STAR, Malcolm??

[Keelman]

I can't say for certain Graeme but have a feeling they did.

[Keelman]

Turners did film the building of Northern Star, this is mentioned on the Yorkshire Film Archive site, but there seems to be a problem accessing it. Presumably the film was commissioned by her builders
You can view for free a promotional film about Northern Star made by Turners for Shaw Savill. Go to player.bfi.org.uk

[Dennis Maccoy]

Northern Star suffered the indignity of leaving the harbour stern-first on what was, I think, (one of) her sea trials. With a couple of friends, I was in the habit of walking to the highest point on Quarry Lane in South Shields to catch the bus home after school as it was possible to see across the town into the harbour from there. One afternoon in 1962 we reached the top of the hill to be surprised to see Northern Star lying across the harbour with her bow alarmingly close to the south pier - she had apparently suffered some machinery malfunction and lost power or steering more or less just as she dispensed with the tugs. Luckily, connection with the tugs was quickly re-established and her turn was continued through 180 degrees and she proceeded to sea stern-first. Some years later, after a similar but much less dramatic power failure on a ship leaving on trials from Swans, we modified standing orders to insist that when proceeding on trials the head tug should remain attached until clear of the piers.

[northeast]

Superb photos, Keelman!
Great start to the New Year.
Keep safe, everyone, jabs are on the way