Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'. As an Election will be held on July 4th 2024 we are waivering our 'No Politics Rule aslong as Posts are Respectful and don't include exhortations to vote one way or another.

Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by peter cook on 25/8/2024, 11:22:20

Ash hopper Bobby Shaftoe seen heading up the Tyne heading to Stella Power Station. Bobby Shaftoe was a regular visitor to the Tyne in the 50's, 60's and 70's along with the Bessie Surtees and Hexhamshire Lass.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by Les Gibson on 25/8/2024, 12:01:54, in reply to "Bobby Shaftoe"

Thank's for that Peter. Spent an interesting weekend on the Bessie Surtees in 1965 as 2nd engineer. All 3 were managed by Stevie Clarkes, who I was employed with as an electrician.
Long tale!!

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by David Henley on 25/8/2024, 12:04:31, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

It was also a pub named that in Scotswood, Newcastle years ago.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by The ash on 25/8/2024, 12:12:07, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

Was the ash taking out and dumped at sea, would that be allowed today, just interested.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by Norman on 25/8/2024, 12:21:41, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

YES the ash was taken to sea & dumped, so there must have been some desolate lifeless areas of black seabed out there.Its probably recovered by now.

getting rid of waste years ago.

Posted by Norman Dunn on 25/8/2024, 12:37:43, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

I worked at a Gear Manufacturers in Hebburn called RW Transmissions from 1965/6 to 1971. One of their processes for the gear wheels was called Cyanide Hardening. Afterwards the waste cyanide was put in ordinary steel tubs & the lids welded on. A unknown waste Company took them away & we heard they were taken out into the Irish sea or 'Atlantic & dumped over the Continental Shelf into the deep water.
How long did those metal tubs last before corroding through???
When I worked at Ever Ready Batteries,Stanley later on all the duff batteries that didnt attain 1.5volts were dumped into a hole in a field opposite the factory and eventually covered with earth.
What damage has that done to the environment???

Re: getting rid of waste years ago.

Posted by Stan Wears on 25/8/2024, 14:00:32, in reply to "getting rid of waste years ago."

The 3rd boat was the Hexhamshire Lass.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by ricky on 25/8/2024, 14:27:53, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

Here it is. The pub that was in Scotswood.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by John Shearer on 25/8/2024, 16:22:55, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

What ever happened to the three boats after the power station shut down?

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by peter cook on 25/8/2024, 19:34:24, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

Bobby Shaftoe was sold to the French navy in 1973 and is now presumed broken up. Bessie Surtees was sold to new owners in Portugal in 1990 and was broken up in 1993. Hexhamshire Lass was converted into a dredger in 1973 and broken up in 1993.

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

Posted by Llyn Green on 25/8/2024, 19:39:18, in reply to "Re: Bobby Shaftoe"

Hi Les.
A good friend of mine, George Elmsley, was skipper of the Bessie for many years.