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Wallsend
Here is a picture taken Just before the ship 'Tyne Pride' was launched. I do not have the exact date but it was in 1976. The three stories below tell a lot about the state of shipbuilding on the Tyne at this time, and seem to be pointing at a fast approaching decline.
Dave Hitchings 8 March 2001
I do have the original slide of this picture, so a good print or better quality scan can be provided. If you would like either, send me an e-mail using the link below.
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From the 'Sunday Sun' 10 October 1976
Pride slips out of Tyne
Tyne Pride - the latest in a series of super tankers built on the river - slipped out to sea virtually unnoticed yesterday.
In the past thousands have lined the river banks to see the huge ships off.
Yesterday only a few hundred turned out to watch the 260,000-ton Tyne Pride leave for trials.
The £20m. Vessel left amid rumours that, because of the difficulty of finding a buyer, she has been sold to a Greek concern at a knock-down price of £11m. by her owners, Swan Maritime.
Tugboatmen who went on strike earlier this year, prevented the ship being launched at the traditional naming ceremony, which took the sparkle out of the champagne.
She was eventually launched without pomp or ceremony.
The Tyne Pride is likely to be the last super tanker built on the Tyne for some time.
Thanks to the Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd.
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From the 'Evening Chronicle' 11 October 1976
Boat's mercy dash
A lifeboat was called out last night to take a sick worker off the super-tanker Tyne Pride in the North Sea.
The Tyne Pride, built at Swan Hunters Wallsend yard, was on sea trials 12 miles off the coast when a worker complained of severe abdominal pains.
The Tynemouth lifeboat met the supertanker three miles off the entrance to the Tyne and brought Mr. Clifford Snowdon of Lincoln Close, Wallsend, ashore.
Mr. Snowdon, aged 32, was taken to Tynemouth Infirmary with suspected appendicitis.
But after checks it was found his illness was merely acute tonsilitis and he was allowed home after treatment.
Thanks to the Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd.
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From the Journal, 7 October 1976
Greeks may buy tanker
Tyne Pride, the super tanker which nobody wanted, may have found an owner at last. Swan Hunter were unable to confirm a report that the 260,000-ton vessel has been sold to a Greek shipping line.
Fitting out at Wallsend is now virtually completed and unless the sale goes through the vessel seems destined for lay-up.
A Swan Hunter spokesman said: "I don't know where the information has come from. There have been rumours flying about for weeks.
"As far as we are concerned the ship is paid for."
Company accounts published in July show that Swan Hunter had received full payment for the Tyne Pride from the firm's original customer Swan Maritime, a subsidiary, 25 per cent of which is owned by the shipbuilders.
But Swan Maritime has been in serious difficulties for some time and is already in the process of selling it's ships.
Speculation on the shipping market puts the price if the Tyne Pride at more than £11m. But the price paid by the mystery buyer could well be lower than the vessel's building costs.
The tanker is one of 13 ships ordered by Swan Maritime. Ten have been sold and two others are still under construction.
No one was available for comment at Swan Maritime's London office.
Thanks to the Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd.
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