Provisional lineup...
The Launch of HMS Albion at Blackwall (aka The Launch of a Ship) (E P Prestwich, 1898) 1 min
The launch at Thames Iron Works on the River Lea, which (unlike R W Paul’s version) is shot from a high angle which shows the whole of the battleship coming down the slipway and entering the water. At this launch, the ship (or the wash that it caused) hit a pontoon holding spectators; a number of people drowned.
Employees Leaving Messrs Vickers and Maxims in Barrow (Mitchell & Kenyon, 1901) 1 min 30 sec
A good example of the ‘factory gate’ genre of the turn of the century: a static camera shows a large group of men leaving the factory. A small group of boys fools in front of the camera throughout, whilst one or two young girls are seen in the crowd.
Workforce of Scott & Co Shipyard, Greenock (Mitchell & Kenyon, 1901) 2 mins 13 sec
In another nice ‘factory gate’ film, a well-dressed man (probably an M&K employee) is seen directing the crowds to look to the camera. In a second shot, a group of the young workers, and small boys and girls, wave to the camera.
Launch of Dominion (Mitchell & Kenyon, 1903) 1 min 37 sec
Following a shot of open water with small sailing yachts and a two-funnelled ship (possibly the tug boat), Dominion slides into view, and the chains, and wreckage of the wooden scaffold, can be seen, as can the crew on the deck.
King Edward VII Launches H M S Dreadnought from Portsmouth (1906) 2 mins 12 secs
Representing a significant moment in the escalation of naval power against Germany, King Edward VII performs the ceremony of breaking a bottle against the hull. The battleship goes down the slipway – a second shot repeats the launch run from a different angle, before the slipway is overrun by jubilant workmen.
S S Olympic (1910) 7 mins approx
A beautiful film in which the scale, size and beauty of the White Star liner is made apparent. This film charts the building and launch of the Olympic at the Harland & Wolf shipyards in Belfast, showing the drawing office, the dry dock, cranes in
operation, and the launch of the ship. The Olympic was the Titanic’s sister-ship, built in the neighbouring berth (there is no equivalent footage of the Titanic).
Launch of H M S Lowestoft (Topical Budget, 1913) 2 mins
The latest addition to ‘Britain's first line of defence’ is successfully launched by Lady Beauchamp at Chatham Dockyard. The cruiser goes down causeway, away from the camera, and cheering workman obscure the view before turning and realising the camera's behind them, pulling each other out of the way.
Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen to the North-East Coast Shipbuilding and Engineering Works on the Wear (1917) 12 mins 36 sec
King George V and Queen Mary visit shipyards on the Wear in Sunderland, the King in his naval uniform. Most of the workers are in their regular work clothes, so clearly the visit was to be as informal as possible. We can assume that it was a morale booster for the exhausted shipyard workers during the Great War.
RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde (1936) Scottish Screen Archive restoration 1 min
A rare colour film of RMS Queen Mary leaving the Clyde on 25 March 1936, on her maiden voyage to New York, shot from the south bank of the river, possibly around Erskine. Although she was launched in 1934, it took a further two years to fit out this Cunard White Star Liner. Not long after this, the ship was painted grey and used as a troop ship during the War.
Shipyard (Paul Rotha, 1935) 24 mins
The building of the S S Orion at Barrow-in-Furness. The ship is finally launched by the Duke of Gloucester by radio from Australia. A sophisticated and beautifully-shot documentary from a leading light in the British documentary movement, with elements of Soviet-style editing and impressionistic layered audio.
Chains (1939) 10 mins
The making of wrought iron chains, links and anchors by hand, by craftsmen at the Netherton works of N Hingley and Sons Ltd. The full process is shown and the skill and strength of the large numbers of craftsmen is apparent.
Tyneside (1941) 18 mins
A survey of shipbuilding on Tyneside. Grand metaphors are mobilised in the voiceover, accompanying gorgeous tracking and crane shots, large and expansive, with great shots from beneath the hull. The film ends with shots of the luxurious
'life' on board a liner.
Steel Goes to Sea (John E Lewis, 1941) 16 mins
Showing each stage in the construction of a ship, and emphasising the particular importance of the traditional skills of British shipbuilders. A young apprentice is seen, and passing reference made to home guard protecting the shipyard during the night. This is a really nice film and the presence of the young apprentice graffiti-ing “Hitler is a b***” raises a smile. The film fully shows the notion of a ship as initially simply a number, 'coming to life'.
The Little Ships of England (1943) 13 mins
In contrast to many of the other films on this programme, this film examines the building of various small types of craft, looking at wooden-built, smaller boats, drawing on older craftsmanship. There is a sense of localised seaside community
life. The film makes reference to small boats rescuing men at Dunkirk, using dramatised sequences. Nicely composed shots (great use of shadows) with an uplifting tone.
Shipyard for Colliers (from Mining Review 2nd year No 3) (1948) 2 mins – single story
Another film looking at smaller ships, rather than big liners, in a story filmed at Sunderland’s Wear Dockyard of S. P. Austin, on ‘Shipyard No. 397’ M.V. Auk. She was being built for the General Steam Navigation Company of London. Colliers are built at this yard for the coal trade around the coast of Britain. It makes the explicit link between the industries: "Coal made them, to work for coal".
Berth 24 (R B Holmes, 1950) 40 mins
This is the first production of the newly formed British Transport Film Unit. Set in the Hull Docks, it describes the 'turn around' of the steamer S S Bravo, following her arrival from Gothenburg with various cargoes and then loading and departing again for Sweden. Incorporating poetry and music, whilst not strictly about shipbuilding, this is about the life of a shipyard within the dynamics of Britain’s economy. An entertaining, watchable film.
We’ve Come a Long Way (1951) 11 mins
Animation – the story of the development of techniques for constructing ever-larger oil tankers over the last 100 yrs. A lively animation style uses simple pictures to show engineering challenges, contrasting nicely with the actuality films that we have on the programme. It also links the building of tankers to the operation of ships in a global market.
The Sea Shall Test Her (Jack Howells, 1954) 18 mins
A poetic, discursive film about the wonders of ships (so wider than just shipbuilding, showing also steelworkers, for instance), but centred around the building of the liner The Southern Cross. Music by Edward Williams.
Seawards the Great Ships (Hilary Harris, 1960)
Scottish Screen Archive restoration
29 mins
Oscar-winning documentary about shipbuilding on the Clyde, based on an original outline by the ‘father’ of British documentary John Grierson. The film shows the planning, the workshops, the steelworks, and gives a lovely sense of the beauty of a very large ship and intimacy of the work involved in building her.
A Great Ship (John Reeve, 1962)
The construction of the liner Canberra, an Australian passenger ship, in Belfast. The film gives a great sense of the huge numbers of people involved, and is shot through with a sense of drama, humour, and community.
The Bowler and the Bunnet (Sean Connery, 1967)
36 mins
Sean Connery goes around Glasgow, commenting on the role and importance of the industry to the city's community and life, and visiting Fairfields Shipyard where a new model of agreements between staff and management is being trialed to
prevent industrial action and help the shipyard compete in the global market. Connery is seen visiting abandoned docks, playing football with staff. Crisply shot, with a wry and entertaining voiceover, and a 60s mood and style. Most importantly, the film conveys a sense of the industrial crisis and the importance of intelligent
resolutions.
UCS 1 (1971) 20 mins
The campaign film used by the Upper Clyde shipyard workers (Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd) when they took action to protect their jobs and keep the shipyard open. The film shows the mass protest they initiated, how they took their cause to the wider community and records some of the thoughts and feelings of the men and women involved in the work-in, the demonstrations and meetings. Appearing in the film are Jimmy Reid, John Airlie and Archie Hind. This is a key part of the story of the campaign, which was (temporarily) successful.
Launch (1974) 10 mins
A beautiful, impressionistic view of the activities over the day before, and on the day of, the launch of a large ship built at the Swan Hunter's Wallsend shipyard. Without commentary or voiceover, the sense of occasion is built through views and
impressions of the shipyard and surrounding community, as the launch-time draws nearer.
The DVD set is completed by an illustrated booklet of new essays and notes. Release date: 14 February 2011
