Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

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

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Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Norman Dunn on 21/10/2025, 9:30 am

The Esso Northumbria was built at Swan Hunter's at the bottom of that street in the header photo. It was the biggest ship built in GB at the time ie 250,000 ton Tanker.
Below are 2 photos I took the night before the Launch. Can you see the man beside the Propellor?

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 21/10/2025, 9:33 am, in reply to "Photos I took in May 1969"

What a fantastic photograph

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Liz Dance on 21/10/2025, 10:24 am, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

Wow that’s an amazing photo Norman, can you imagine coming out of your front door and being met with that ship, such a pity the Tyne ha# lost it ‘life’.

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Allan C. on 21/10/2025, 10:18 am, in reply to "Photos I took in May 1969"

Good photos Norman, pity the Chronicle didn’t get the wording correct.

The stern photos a few days before launch as scaffolding still in place.

The Bow photo weeks before launch, plates at deck level still not in place and painting of the hull not started.

In the stern photos what are the vertical boards on the Hull at two levels. Sacrificial nodes ? Wrong shape and it looks as it starboard are longer along the Hull than the port ones.

Regretfully I never got close to any of the big vessels being built just trawlers being built in Eyemouth and other harbours.

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Norman Dunn on 21/10/2025, 10:39 am, in reply to "Photos I took in May 1969"

Why did you mention the Evening Chronicle?
Where did that come from ???
I added that info, but because it was 56 years ago the street photo might have been taken a couple of days before the launch. Silly me eh?

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Stan Wears on 21/10/2025, 11:17 am, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

When the bottle hit the Hull, the ship didn't move immediately but a blow on the Hull from a couple of sledge hammers sent vibrations to overcome the inertia and she launched. I was told that by the late Harry Donnelly a superintendent at the yard and Ian Blackwood who later became a director of Shell Esso.

Annoying

Posted by Norman on 21/10/2025, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

I have to mention this. A few weeks ago a board regular said he's reluctant to post on the board , because its infuriating when the 'Self Imposed Exper't on everything comments about his or her posts.
Coincidentally Two great examples are below ie my Esso Northumbria photos AND Mac C 's lovely 1500s sketch , bothe annalized by this self proclaimed expert.
It really annoys not just me but other board regulars.
He needs to Zip it.

Re: Annoying

Posted by Michael on 21/10/2025, 11:43 am, in reply to "Annoying"

Well said Norman, keep up the good work

Welcome to the board Michael

Posted by Norman on 21/10/2025, 12:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Annoying"

Thanks Michael.
Welcome to the board.
I have to say its never like this normally

Re: Annoying

Posted by Allan C. on 21/10/2025, 12:14 pm, in reply to "Annoying"

Mac C’s picture of Newcastle 1500’s is great as is the other coloured one. But who did them and when.

They are at least a very good interpretation of what Newcastle may have looked like back then.

As regards the Esso Northumbria that Bow photo it was taken a few weeks before launch, plates missing and hull not started to be painted but maybe that’s why the scaffolding is there.

If you Google the vessel you will find photos of the Bow all finished plates in place and all painted. Some photos from the Chronicle as well. Most attributed to you Norman.

So I’m a self imposted expert. No I’m not just someone that uses his eyes and sees details. I do not criticise anyone intentionally.

If an item is put up on the board it is open to comments otherwise what is the point.

Peter Cooks fantastic collection of cards etc. often shows up things you never knew or thought of, so comment about it. If nothing else it shows Peter that you have looked and appreciated his photo.

Please Norman stop knocking me. What happened 6 or 7 months ago is way in the past, get over it. I’ve apologised quite a few times since then.

Allan C.

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Allan C. on 21/10/2025, 11:48 am, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

The way the wording is written is very like a newspaper writers style and I assumed that you had taken it from their records, nowt wrong in that.

The bow photo taken weeks before launch as scaffolding still in place or getting ready to start painting, plates missing at deck level, still to be fitted.

There has been other photos of the Bow all finished and Hull all painted days before launch. Those could well have been taken by you Norman.

These photos can be seen if you Google the ship and some are on the Chronicle website.

Assume.

Posted by Mac C on 21/10/2025, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

My JGS English Master Beaky Acum taught me to remember the old proverb based on the make up of the word. It has served me well in life.

Re: Photos I took in May 1969

Posted by Norman on 21/10/2025, 12:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

The THREE photos I posted today were all taken by me. If you saw them in Chronicle its cos I shared my pics with them and the Gazette.Ive had many of my pics in both papers over many years.
The ship ones from the river were taken the night before the launch.I went on the Ferry specially to get closer.
THE STREET View could be days before.
As said on my last post I don't want you annoying me or anyone else. I do my best to keep my Forum interesting.
Do you not think? Instead of criticising everything. What a waste of my time having to tell you to zip it

Where

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 22/10/2025, 9:53 am, in reply to "Re: Photos I took in May 1969"

Norman do you know the name of the street where the picture was taken??
If I had lived there it would definitely have been up on my wall

Re: Where

Posted by Norman on 22/10/2025, 11:52 am, in reply to "Where"

I think I have a photo of that area but cant find it as Wallsend is not really inluded in my records.
I think it could be George St.

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