view of Wallsend shipyard and dry docks

[Terrysummerson]

Another unusual photograph from the Swan Hunter Collection.

[Whickham]

Nice image. I wonder if it is based on a photo. Interesting to see the Wallsend Dry Dock's pontoons in place.

[Terrysummerson]

The only ship I can see with a name on is the KAROA which I assume is the British India ship 1915 she is in front of the sheds. There are names on two of the ships on the pontoon docks and one on the nearest tugs but I can't quite make them out yet.

[Terrysummerson]

I think that the tug in the fore ground is the Wallsend if that makes any sense

[Whickham]

Unfortunately I can't match a tug called Wallsend at the moment. However the liner reversing out of the drydock could be FRANCONIA or LACONIA. But 1911/1912 doesn't fit in with 1915.

[Whickham]

There's a map of this area dated 1897 at:

http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/TyneDD.html

This shows the two pontoons and a single dry dock. The single dock looks as though it may be the one with the liner reversing out and I suppose the second dock, with the cruiser in it, was built later.