Harton Staiths with the paddle tug Stag

Bill Point early 1900's, not exactly like that these days

Jarrow staiths with the collier Lightfoot at the buoys


Pictures from the Norman Dunn collection

Would that be MAURETANIA in the Bill Quay view?

northeast wrote:Would that be MAURETANIA in the Bill Quay view?

Sure looks like her George, not many around with 4 funnels at that time in that place!

Certainly looks as though it should be the MAURETANIA . . . . but

She was completed in 1907 and the Walker Naval Yard wasn't laid out until 1913. Throughout the WW1 years the berths would have been overflowing. Also lots of ships at Pelaw Main. Are they laid up? The Naval Yard was pretty busy through to 1928 and then closed till 1934 other than for the MONARCH OF BERMUDA in 1930/31. Is the photo taken in this period (or technically two periods). Did the MAURETANIA come back to Swans?

LIGHTFOOT in the Jarrow view will be the 1922 completion by Crown.

Just looking at the Walker Naval Yard photo again, perhaps there are ships on the berths. Bit dark and gloomy. Not sure.

Whickham wrote:Certainly looks as though it should be the MAURETANIA . . . . but

She was completed in 1907 and the Walker Naval Yard wasn't laid out until 1913. Throughout the WW1 years the berths would have been overflowing. Also lots of ships at Pelaw Main. Are they laid up? The Naval Yard was pretty busy through to 1928 and then closed till 1934 other than for the MONARCH OF BERMUDA in 1930/31. Is the photo taken in this period (or technically two periods). Did the MAURETANIA come back to Swans?

Answer to last bit, yes, came back in late 1921 after being severely damaged by fire at Southampton on 25 July. Passenger accomm. remodelled and converted for oil fuel while she was there. Back in service 25 March 1922. So that gives a narrow date range for the photo.

Missed that. So the berths should have been reasonably busy at that time. Pity the image isn't larger/clearer. Thanks George

Yes George, I think it has to be the 1922 LIGHFOOT as well, although there was also a 1916 Lightfoot also built by Crown's, however she was lost 1918.

just looking at the view of the naval yard. I think that the 4 stacker could be the Aquitania she was converted to oil burning by Armstrong, Whitworth in 1919-1920 and she looks like she is berthed at the Naval yard and not Swan Hunter