River Wear Ship Building Industry Shipyard Workers

Once the proud heart of Sunderland River Wear ship building industry, the hard-working shipyard workers of the River Wear were legendary in shipbuilding history worldwide.

A touching tribute to the proud men and women of the Sunderland River Wear ship building industry, this video revisits the shipyard working life that built our city’s shipbuilding history and defined what is our industrial heritage.

Featuring rare photos and ship launches, it honours the shipyard workers who forged the History of Ship building and kept the spirit of working in a shipyard alive for generations.

When we ask ourselves what is our industrial heritage, it is these people we must remember, for they were the soul of our shipyard working community.

Through a remarkable series of historic photographs and film clips, we revisit the golden age of working in a shipyard — a time when the clanging of hammers and the roar of riveters echoed along the River Wear.

Each image in this collection captures the pride and unity of Sunderland shipyard workers, from apprentices learning their trade to seasoned hands launching yet another mighty vessel.

The ship building industry was not just an occupation; it was a way of life — one passed down through generations of families who dedicated themselves to the shipyard.

This video also honours those wartime years when women stepped forward to take up the tools of the men who were away fighting. Their quiet courage and quick skill ensured that the shipbuilding history of Sunderland continued unbroken. Every rivet, every plate, every ship launched into the River Wear carried the story of their determination and pride.

Join us in remembering this vital part of our heritage — the heart and soul of Sunderland ship building industry and its unforgettable shipyard workers.

These faces, these ships, and these yards remind us that working in a shipyard was more than just labour — it was legacy. It was community, and it remains a living part of what is our industrial heritage.

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What is our Heritage?
What do we really mean when we ask What is our heritage?
In Sunderland City UK, our story is told not only through grand landmarks but through the everyday lives, trades, and traditions that shaped the History of Sunderland.

From ship building heritage and hidden heritage photos to Old Sunderland Videos and local heritage video presentations, every image and memory helps us rediscover who we are and where we’ve come from.

This Historical documentary celebrates that journey and invites you to explore the cultural and heritage tourism opportunities that make Sunderland such a fascinating city to visit and remember.

In this special feature by the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, we take a heartfelt look at what is our industrial heritage — from coal mining and shipyards to the Heritage Centre and Antiquarian Centre, where the city’s remarkable past continues to be preserved.

Historic Sunderland has stories that span centuries, each one a reminder of the pride and resilience of the people who built this great city.

As you join us on this Sunderland city tour, you’ll experience the richness of Sunderland City Tourist landmarks and hear from those who cherish our industrial heritage.

You’ll see how local heritage video presentations and Old Sunderland Videos bring the past back to life, ensuring that What is our heritage remains alive for future generations.

This video is part of our continuing effort to promote cultural and heritage tourism through the Sunderland Antiquarian Society. By preserving hidden heritage photos and creating Historical documentaries, we hope to keep alive the memories, industries, and spirit that define our community.

Together, let’s keep celebrating Historic Sunderland, our ship building heritage, and all that makes this city truly special. This is What is our heritage — a story worth remembering, sharing, and preserving for all time.

If you’ve enjoyed this look back at Sunderland’s proud ship building industry, please like, subscribe, and share your memories in the comments below, bcause it's your stories which help keep alive the History of Ship building on the River Wear — a tribute to all the shipyard workers whose legacy still inspires our city today.

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Sunderland in the 1950s | Work & Leisure After the War
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Historic Sunderland historical documentary of the East End    • Historic Sunderland East End Hidden Histor...  

Thank you for watching our video River Wear Ship Building Industry Shipyard Workers— and welcome to the ever-growing digital home of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society.