Sponsored film produced by Turners Film Productions for Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Limited of the launch of the containership S.S. Remuera from the naval yard at High Walker on the 12th June 1972. The film begins with views of the Remuera on the slipway and large crowds who have come to watch the launch. Guests arrive including Sir John Hunter and the official sponsor Mrs A.J. Bott. On the launching platform Mrs Bott releases a bottle of Champagne which smashes into the bow before it is seen...

Sponsored film produced by Turners Film Productions for Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Limited of the launch of the containership S.S. Remuera from the naval yard at High Walker on the 12th June 1972. The film begins with views of the Remuera on the slipway and large crowds who have come to watch the launch. Guests arrive including Sir John Hunter and the official sponsor Mrs A.J. Bott. On the launching platform Mrs Bott releases a bottle of Champagne which smashes into the bow before it is seen moving down the slipway into the River Tyne. Following the launch, the film shows guests coming off the launch platform and leaving by coach. Title: Launch of the S.S. Remuera 12th June 1972 Title: Sponsor Mrs. A.J. Bott Title: Owners Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company Titles: Builders Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Limited The film opens on a views showing the Remuera on the slipway flanked by two cranes. People walk through the yard in front of a building that is built beside the ship. A launching platform has been built underneath the bow of the Remuera and a number of people are seen climbing the steps onto it. At the bottom is another crowd of onlookers plus shipyard workers. Behind a barrier stands a small crowd of onlookers including a number of children some of whom are sitting on the barrier itself. At the bottom of the launching platform a brass band performs lead by a conductor. General views show the trumpet players. The film cuts to show a Rolls Royce car arriving and Sir John Hunter getting out carrying an umbrella. He opens the rear passenger door and Mrs Bott climbs out. Two other women get out of the other side of the car. Mrs Bott is presented with a bouquet by a woman. Behind a barrier dock workers watch while photographers and cameramen record the event. John Hunter, Mrs Bott and their entourage walk over to the brass band. John Hunter shakes the hand of the conductor and stands chatting with him a moment. Mrs Bott stands nearby smiling. The conductor and one of the band members holds a large silver trophy and continues to talk with John Hunter. The film cuts to a view looking up at the launching platform. On the platform a crowd stand around a microphone. A man speaks with another gentleman wearing vestments. John Hunter and Mrs Bott appear and come to stand beside the microphone. They smile and look at the camera. General views of two men standing on the platform. The film cuts back down on the dockyard where a large crowd now stands behind the barrier. A man in a white boiler suit places a large metal pin into a wooden block and places a lock on a hook above it. Beside it sit three other pins and locks. Writing on the board reads ‘Starbd. Lock & Key For D.’ Back on the platform Mrs Bott speaks into the microphone watched by the surrounding crowd. She pulls a lever which releases a bottle of Champagne which smashes against the bow of the Remuera. Photographers closer to the bow quickly snap shots as the ship slowly begins to move down the slipway. The film cuts back down on the dockside as the Remuera begins to pick up speed as it enters the River Tyne. Crowds rush forward to get the best views of the event. On the launching platform a photographer takes photographs of the ship as it slips into the water, it’s drag chains tumbling after it. General views show Mrs Bott, John Hunter and other dignitaries looking down at the ship on the water.   The film cuts to a view of a tug boat holding the Remuera in its current position. Back on the platform more views of guests looking down onto the ship and chatting. Mrs Bott and John Hunter come down the steps from the launching platform followed by other guests. Mrs Bott gets into the waiting Rolls Royce. The man wearing vestments shakes the hand of a male guest as he comes down the steps from the launching platform. Standing by the Rolls Royce John Hunter and another woman speak with Mrs Bott who is sitting in the car. The car driver closes the door. The film cuts to the Rolls Royce driving off past two parked coaches. A second Rolls Royce with a small flag on its radiator also drives away. General views follow of more guests coming down from the launching platform as the brass band continues to perform in the background. Some of the guests stand around on the dockside chatting before getting onto one of the waiting coaches. The film cuts to show a woman holding a silver chalice. She and a man speak with members of the brass band before walking away. More general views of guests as they chat on the dockside while others sit on the buses waiting. The film cuts to show both coaches leaving the dock. The film ends with a view of the Remuera on the Tyne with the drag chains on the slipway in the foreground. End credit: Turners Film Productions Newcastle upon Tyne, England