John Readhead's Shipyard - Page 28

Royal Visit, June 1917

GENERAL VIEW OF SHIPYARD, ENGINE WORKS AND DOCKS FROM RIVER

(Viewed by H. M. King George whilst on visit to Tyne, June, 1917)

        The Prince of Wales, later King George V, visited the Tyne. Next to him in the picture, pointing to the yard, is Mr James Readhead (afterwards Sir James), next to him is John Readhead. In military uniform behind him the Prince of Wales Equerry. The ship in dry dock is ss Trefusis, outside drydock and under survey is ss Trevaylor. The two ships on the stocks are ss Treloske and ss Trevean. The ship stern at fitting out quay is ss Trevider. (From information on display at St. Ives Maritime Museum)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit of

H.R.H. Prince Albert

To South Shields, April 16th, 1920

Their Majesties the King and Queen have during the most trying period which we have recently experienced shown their keen interest in the progress of work in all the industrial concerns in the United Kingdom, and the welfare of their subjects in the various Works. This example is being faithfully followed by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Prince Albert, and it is with great pleasure this Souvenir has been prepared as a Record of the occasion when Messrs. John Readhead & Sons, Limited, had the honour of being visited by His Royal Highness Prince Albert.

John Readhead & Sons, Limited

West Docks, South Shields

The Directors of the Company are as follows;

Mr. James Readhead, J.P. ........Chairman and Managing Director

Mr. John Readhead, J.P.

Mr. James H. Readhead, J.P.   Assistant Managing Director

Major Stanley Readhead, M.C.

The Firm was originated in the year 1865 by the late Mr. John Readhead and through the sound Technical knowledge possessed by him a substantial and valuable business was soon created. In the early part of the Firm's career they built a large number of Tug Boats asnd Sailing Vessels, and eventually Cargo Steamers ranging from a deadweight capacity of about 700 tons, in the year 1868, up to a deadweight capacity of 3,100 tons at the time of the death of the Founder of the Firm in 1894. The first of these iron Screw Steamers built in the year 1865 is still in commission.

The Firm was formed into a private Limited Company in the year 1909 with Mr. James Readhead, J.P., as Chairman and Managing Director, and through the combined energy and enterprise of Mr. Readhead extensive alterations were made to the Building Berths, Machinery, etc., an additional Dry Dock constructed, and the Firm has now four large Berths and is at present able to build Vessels up to 450 feet in length with a carrying capacity of upwards of 12,000 tons.

The Firm has also the advantage of making their own Engines and Boilers, and are thus able to turn out Vessels of a total carrying capacity of 50,000 tons and 40,000 I. H. P., per annum, and in addition to their facilities for the original construction of vessels and machinery the Firm owns two Graving Docks capable of accommodating vessels up to 450 feet in length, which enable it to carry out repairs to all description of Vessels and thus take its place amongst the leading Shipbuilding, Engineering and Repairing Establishments of the country. It is believed to be the largest private firm on the Tyne, and an important point in that the real Principals of the Firm are also the managers and in direct touch with their officials and workmen.

The firm’s premises cover an area of over 16 acres, having a quay frontage of 1,500 feet, and are replete with the most modern types of Plant including a 60 ton Electric Crane of the latest description and Electrical Hydraulic and Pneumatic machines for carrying out the building and repairing of all types of First-Class Cargo Vessels, Marine Engines, Boilers and Auxiliary Machinery. The whole of the Machinery is electrically driven. The Firm is therefore in a splendid position to carry out most expeditiously the Building and Repairing of all types of vessels in an economical and first-class manner.
The Firm has also the advantage of making their own Engines and Boilers, and are thus able to turn out Vessels of a total carrying capacity of 50,000 tons and 40,000 I. H. P. per annum, and in addition to their facilities for the original construction of vessels and machinery the Firm owns two Graving Docks capable of accommodating vessels up to 450 feet in length, which enable it to carry out repairs to all description of Vessels and thus take its place amongst the leading Shipbuilding, Engineering and Repairing Establishments of the country. It is believed to be the largest private firm on the Tyne, and an important point is that the real Principals of the Firm are also the managers and in direct touch with their officials and workmen.
The Firm employ an average about 2,000 men under the assiduous supervision of members of the Company who are proud of the high reputation of their Establishment which in itself affords sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the work executed on the premises. It may also be interesting to note the unanimity and concord which exists between the Firm, their Staff, and their Workmen, which is illustrated by the fact that at present in the employ of the Firm are 52 foremen and officials, their united period of service with the Firm being 1,565 years, or an average of 30 years.

In December, 1917, these Foremen and Officials gathered together and as a memento of the occasion presented Mr. James Readhead with a framed copy of their photograph as a token of their appreciation of him as an employer. There are about 400 men who have been in the Firm's employment for periods ranging from 15 to 54 years.

Another interesting matter which might be noted is the good feeling which exists between the Firm and their clients, and in this connection Messrs. Readhead may be stated to have established a record, inasmuch as they have already built no less than 77 Vessels, including Engines and Boilers, for one Company alone, The Hain Steamship Company, and at the moment have other five Vessels in hand for the same Company. The first of these Vessels which was built in the year 1878 had a carrying capacity of 1,800 tons d.w. and the capacity of the present Vessels is nearly 9,000 tons each, truly a record to be proud of. There are also other cases where the Firm has built upwards of 20 Vessels for other Companies.

During the period of the Great War, 1914 - 1918, the Firm were able to launch and complete 20 Steam Screw Cargo Vessels of a deadweight carrying capacity of about 156,000 tons, including Standard Vessels of the "B" type for the Shipping Controller and a Vessel which was converted during construction into an Oil Tanker for the Admiralty. In addition to these the Firm supplied the Admiralty with three Armoured Patrol Boats of the "P" class (one of which (P31) it will be of interest to note carried H. M. The King during the recent review on the Thames) and four Lighters making a total of 27 Vessels, and in addition to the new work the Firm effected a very large amount of drydocking and repairs to the Hull and Machinery of Merchant Vessels docked by them which had been either torpedoed or mined and also several of H. M . Torpedo Boats and Destroyers.

The arrival - and Reception by Mr and Mrs James Readhead

            His Royal Highness a few minutes after 3.0 p.m., arrived at the main entrance to the offices of the Company which were gaily decorated in honour of the occasion, including a banner spread the full length of the gangway connecting the offices bearing the words "WELCOME TO OUR PRINCE". A guard of Honour composed of the Company's Cadet Corps was drawn up at the entrance, and on leaving his carriage the Prince was received by Mr. James Readhead J.P., Chairman and Managing Director of the Company and Mrs. James Readhead. The Chairman then presented to His Royal Highness Mr. John Readhead, J.P., Mr. James H. Readhead, Mr. Stanley Readhead, M.C. Directors of the Company, and Mr. George E Conner, Secretary.

His Royal Highness was conducted was conducted round the Offices and Works by the Chairman.

The Party first ascended the Stairs where Models of Vessels built by the Company were inspected, and at this stage Mr. James Readhead presented to His Royal Highness an Album containing a short History of the Company and Photographs of special interest and asked for the Prince to graciously accept it as a souvenir of his visit.

Proceeding across the Bridge through the Shipyard Offices to the Shipyard the Chairman presented to His Royal Highness Mr. F. D. Tinn, Assistant Shipyard Manager.

After which the party continued on their way through the Shipyard and Engine and Boiler Works where the various machines were in full operation and His Royal Highness witnessed the different operations of bending, rolling, punching, scarphing, rivetting, drilling, caulking, acetylene burning, etc., of plates and sectional material for vessels in course of construction, also a newly erected Electric Jib Crane which has been tested to a lifting capacity of 75 tons.