I went on a school trip on a ferry on the Tyne back in the early sixties. All I remember is the smell of the engines as we chugged up the river, and that I ate a bag of Quavers for the first time. I loved seeing the boats working in the shuddering rain. So sad that it’s all gone now.
Great film I came to Whitley Bay in 1963, aged 5 and remember going over to South Shields several times on the old ferries. My mum used to like going the South Shields market 😂 My late father used to be a chief engineer at sea, but came ashore when I was born, although of course he still liked engines and ships. He would always ask the ferry staff if they would take the wee lad (me) down to see the engine room. The first time, maybe even the 2nd I enjoyed it, but every trip... yawn. At one stage I did fancy going to sea too, the idea of walking around in white uniform and eating with passengers, while sailing down to cape Town seemed good fun .. When I learnt I wouldn't start out as 'Chief' I decided to pick a different career.
Those two old ferries were great. I liked to stand at the engine room door to see and smell those well-polished engines going at it. Whilst waiting at the landing it was nice, on a cold day, to go into the waiting room where, hopefully, the pot-bellied stove would be chucking out plenty of heat - if you could get near enough 😊
This makes me cry. All this busyness is wonderful to observe, but I am sure it was hard work, however people could earn a living. So sad to see how the UK has fallen.
Dont know if you guys gives a shit but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can watch all the latest series on InstaFlixxer. I've been binge watching with my brother lately =)
I went on a school trip on a ferry on the Tyne back in the early sixties. All I remember is the smell of the engines as we chugged up the river, and that I ate a bag of Quavers for the first time. I loved seeing the boats working in the shuddering rain. So sad that it’s all gone now.
Great film
I came to Whitley Bay in 1963, aged 5 and remember going over to South Shields several times on the old ferries. My mum used to like going the South Shields market 😂 My late father used to be a chief engineer at sea, but came ashore when I was born, although of course he still liked engines and ships. He would always ask the ferry staff if they would take the wee lad (me) down to see the engine room. The first time, maybe even the 2nd I enjoyed it, but every trip... yawn.
At one stage I did fancy going to sea too, the idea of walking around in white uniform and eating with passengers, while sailing down to cape Town seemed good fun .. When I learnt I wouldn't start out as 'Chief' I decided to pick a different career.
Those two old ferries were great. I liked to stand at the engine room door to see and smell those well-polished engines going at it. Whilst waiting at the landing it was nice, on a cold day, to go into the waiting room where, hopefully, the pot-bellied stove would be chucking out plenty of heat - if you could get near enough 😊
100% been there the memories are vivid I used to stand at that door. Wonderful aroma of the engine room 😊
God , I feel ancient ! Remember crossing the Tyne on the Northumbrian ferry , would love to go back even just for a day.
This makes me cry. All this busyness is wonderful to observe, but I am sure it was hard work, however people could earn a living. So sad to see how the UK has fallen.
Great memories Davy thanks for posting.
All gone now very sad great to sea how the river was in its hey day All the ships at Smiths dock
Thanks for posting
Great to see what the river was like the year before I was born
great times, gone but not forgotten
Dont know if you guys gives a shit but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can watch all the latest series on InstaFlixxer. I've been binge watching with my brother lately =)
@Romeo Marley Yea, I've been using InstaFlixxer for since november myself :)
@Romeo Marley definitely, I have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)
@Romeo Marley yea, I've been using InstaFlixxer for years myself :D
This is extraordinary, I can see colour footage from the late 1950s
My dad worked on the river as a tug boat man around this time. I believe one of the tugs he worked on was called the Joffre.
Pure magic ! And the 70's porno music is a bonus !
It's all gone now... One shipyard left for as I know...🤔
that music sounds like mark knopflers
Is that mark knopfler??