Riveting Stories: from the Vosper Thornycroft Shipyard, Woolston, Southampton

Voices, photos and film celebrating the former Vosper Thornycroft shipyard in Woolston Southampton. This film formed part of an exhibition that resulted from an oral history project carried out by Southampton City Council's Oral History Unit in 2005.

[@colinmccarthy7921]

I myself did a Five-Year Indentured Apprenticeship with Harland & Wolfe Ltd.as a Fitter/Turner from
1966-1971.I knew that Thornycroth’s had a shipyard at Woolston.I knew Harland’s closed it Works
in the 1970’s .I remember working on the Union Castle Ships when they came in the New Docks.I
also worked on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.I remember two ships I worked on,and they were,
Southern Cross and the Northern Star.At the back of the Harland Works,there was a Dry Dock.
I worked on the Boilers,Engines,Safety Valves.etc.I also worked with my Fitter on the uncoupling
of the Tail Shafts.The had Muff-Couplings and believe they had the Riggers/ Chain Gang and my
Fitter and Myself.I must off worked on at least four ships in the uncoupling of the Tail Shafts.
I wish Thornycroft and Harlands were still here doing that Work.I enjoyed it.

[@ken7475]

I served my apprenticeship there in the light platers workshop. Good video brought back memories

[@taureansynner6993]

Do you remember Ray Combes, the instructor?

[@pickashole]

My grandfather worked there during ww2. He was a shipwright.

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

worked at vosper,1972/3 as a boilermaker,stayed in enfield grove Woolston,great place to work

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Well it looks like working at the shipyard back in the day was a riveting experience;).

[@soundnicetome]

I have built a model `Perkasa` the original was built by Vospers in the 60`s Such a shame most of our shipping industry has gone. Looked like a great firm to belong to,especially if your interest was model boats. Thanks for this interesting piece of history,when things back then were somewhat better?

[@raineday3996]

I wish there was fortitude, political, and social will to bring back these shipyards.

[@highmyope-ps2by]

I am from Southampton. My brother served his apprenticeship at Thornycroft, my husband served his at Harland & Wolff. Aviation has changed so much in the world; so many old trades have gone.

[@leehotspur9679]

I was in the RN and in 72 from HMS Excellent XP Dept I was on the gunnery trials for 3 Iranian Gunboats Which i think these are in the video . Iran overthrew the Shah of Persia and the order was stopped and sold to another country These were equipped with the Mk8 automatic gun which even the RN did not have at this time but was being introduced

[@ambrosemackinnon8314]

my father worked as a riveter on warships during WW2at yhe Picteau shipyard Nova Scotia

[@ambrosemackinnon8314]

80 cents an hour ..

[@g.h.t.6881]

Some very dodgy looking so called guests at these launchings.