This amateur film features footage of a collier travelling along the Tyne and construction and launches at John Readheads and Sons shipyards at South Shields, including the bulk carrier 'Demeterton' on the 26th January 1967 and the launching of another bulk carrier 'Himmerland' on 23rd May 1967. The film begins with a view over an industrialised area of the river Tyne with a small boat crossing the river in the middle distance. A closer view follows of the boat and its...

This amateur film features footage of a collier travelling along the Tyne and construction and launches at John Readheads and Sons shipyards at South Shields, including the bulk carrier 'Demeterton' on the 26th January 1967 and the launching of another bulk carrier 'Himmerland' on 23rd May 1967. The film begins with a view over an industrialised area of the river Tyne with a small boat crossing the river in the middle distance. A closer view follows of the boat and its smoking funnel as it makes its way along the river. Footage of men working at John Readheads shipyard at South Shields, with some large sections of steel plate and the beginnings of a ships hull. The film cuts to the prow of a ship, a bulk carrier the ‘Demeterton’ nearing completion. The camera moves down the prow of the ship, showing the scaffolding surrounding it. A number of workers sit on a cross beam, supported by part of the surrounding scaffolding which surrounds the prow. A high angle view [quite dark] shows the prow of the ship probably taken from the bridge. Cranes surround the ship. The next section [very dark] shows a worker welding. The film then moves on to men working on a gantry like structure high above the deck. Men are at work in an area near the ship’s propeller. The workers are preparing the slipway for launch. A special stand is constructed at the prow of the ship for the launch ceremony. The camera pans up showing the prow of the ship with a Union Jack flag flying above it. A section filmed near entrance gates to the shipyard shows another view of the launch platform and the prow of the ship. The next view shows some of the wood blocks supporting the hull before launch. The ship heads down the slipway [very dark], followed by maneuvering out on the river, assisted by tugs. Another bulk carrier ‘Himmerland’ is on the slipway about to be launched. The launch platform stands ready at the prow of the ship. Officials and dignitaries gather and a woman is presented with a bouquet. A man and the woman with the bouquet climb the steps of the launch platform, followed by other guests. The ship slides down the slipway and into the Tyne, watched by the crowds. The film ends with views of onlookers gathered near the launch platform.