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Final cranes removed from Swan Hunter shipyard

Apr 5 2009 by Sam Wood, Sunday Sun

THE end of an era arrived on the Tyne as the final cranes and dry dock from Swan Hunter shipyard sailed away from the North East.

After 145 years of history and over 1600 ships built at the Wallsend site, the removal of the equipment early yesterday will mark it as a black day for many in the region.

Tom Brennan, GMB Union Northern Regional Secretary, worked at the shipyard for more than 20 years.

He said he was devastated at the “final nail in the coffin” for shipbuilding on the Tyne.

As the ship was being prepared for its final departure, he told the Sunday Sun: “This is the end of a fabulous facility, it is a massive loss to the area. I’m devastated.

“There is a romantic connection to shipbuilding on the Tyne. Most families will have a member who used to work in the shipyards, everyone will know someone who worked in the ships. This will be a very emotional time for lots of people on Tyneside. “This is the final nail in the coffin for ship building around here.

“The last ships which were built at Swan Hunter, for the MoD, were some of the best ever built.

“It is a massive loss. This is the end of ship building at Swan Hunter in the way it was done.

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