by CLYDEBRAE » Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:54 am
To give a perspective to the difficulties of the time, and taken from David Dougan's book "The History of North East Shipbuilding" first published 1968.
In 1929 North East yards launched 199 merchant ships over 100grt for 679,321grt. By 1932 it was down to 30 ships for 72,252grt and the following year saw a further reduction before things improved. Of the 30 launched in 1932, only 2, for 2,628grt, were attributed to Sunderland yards. (Table I - source Lloyd's Register of Shipping)
In human terms, Census Returns and Ministry of Labour statisitcs published for 1931 (Table V) illustrate how hard times were. North East statisitcs recorded 78,262 as employed or seeking employment in shipbuilding, including marine engineering. Of this total 48,337 (nearly 62%) were seeking employment and unemployed.
John