John Readhead's Shipyard
The Engine Works
These were located on the Main Road and near to Readhead's Landing and were made up of the Engineering Design & Estimating Office, the Engineering Drawing Office, the Secretaries, & the Typists Office, the Print Room and the Engine Building Works.
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The following ‘memory’ is submitted by Joe Findley who worked
at Readheads from 1955 to 1970 when he left and went to Canada;-
He remembers that H. Towers was M. D., Yard Manager was W.
Heccles, Engine Works Managers were W. Hall and W. Nicols, Installation Managers
were W. Hall and A. Russel. Engine Works Chief Draughtsmen were A. Miller, C.
Holt and A. Harvey.
Joe says he was employed from 1955 in the Engine Works D.O. under A. Miller, as
a draughtsman, followed by a period as estimator under C. Holt, and finally
assistant to A. Harvey.
He says he saw the last two steam reciprocating engines built by John Readhead
& Sons completed. They were for Hogarth Line vessels.
Ships he remembers completing in his time there were;-
Nos. 591 – 594 – 598 for Greek owners, main engine Sulzer by Sulzer.
No. 585 for the Strick Line, main engine Doxford.
Nos. 592 – 593 for the Strick Line, main engine Doxford.
No. 600 for the Bristol City Line, main engine Parsons Marine Steam turbine.
Two vessels for British Rail, twin screw Mirrlees main engines. These were
reputed to be the first cellular container vessels built in the U.K. –
Freightliner 1 and Freightliner 2.
The first full motorship installation completed by John Readhead & Sons he
believes was Ship No. 585.
Main engines supplied over the years by;-
Hawthorne Leslie, St. Peters; Wallsend Slipway; Doxfords; Sulzer; Harland &
Wolf; Mirrlees, and Parson’s Marine.
John Readhead & Sons he believes produced one of the first low speed diesel
installations with bridge control of main engine. Main engine was a Doxford PT6.
The installation included an air-conditioned control room.
Another job with a difference was the conversion of the Stag Line vessel
‘Photinia’ for a pipe laying contract. The pipe laying contract was
cancelled, but the ship was later re-converted for cable laying.
Joe says John Readhead & Sons was a happy place all round (until the
amalgamation into Swan Hunter & Tyne Shipbuilders.
He left Readheads in 1970.
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Picture shows a Triple expansion steam reciprocating engine of a type built about 1920.
In 1965 this was a 'state of the art' engine room control centre on board ship.
Machining propeller shafting
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