The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972
The Swan Hunter shipyard celebrates the launch of a tanker built to serve the Come By Chance oil refinery in Newfoundland.
Industry sponsored film 1972 9 mins Silent
From the collection of:
Overview
The Seaburn Sea Cadets drum up a storm at the launch of the Joseph R Smallwood from Swan Hunters shipyard in Hebburn, a tanker named after the premier of Newfoundland. This was familiar territory for local production house Turners who had worked on film commissions for Swan Hunters since the 1950s. The tanker would soon be embroiled in political controversy when the Newfoundland oil refinery it was built to serve caused one of the largest Canadian bankruptcies in history.
Genres
Industry sponsored film
Released
1972
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Hebburn
Language
English
Subjects
Related
Shipbuilding on Film
Watch for free
Ship is Launched Ship is Launched
Industry sponsored film 1957 7 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The famous Swan Hunter shipyards on the Tyne grease the slipway for another stirring launch in the prosperous 1950s.
Watch for free
S.S. Olympic S.S. Olympic
Non-Fiction 1910 8 mins Silent
The construction and launch of the S.S. Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic.
Watch for free
Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903) Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903)
Non-Fiction 1903 5 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.
Watch for free
Ship There Was Ship There Was
Documentary 1952 25 mins
A heart-warming tale about a Tyneside shipyard worker who dreams of a cruise on the luxury ocean liner he helps to build.
Watch for free
Workforce of Scott & Co. Shipyard, Greenock (1901) Workforce of Scott & Co. Shipyard, Greenock (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Greenock
Unruly shipworkers defy direction from Mitchell and Kenyon's showmen partners.
Watch for free
Launch of the "Athelsultan" Built to the Order of Athel Lines Ltd, London by Smith Docks Ltd, Southbank-on-Tees Launch of the "Athelsultan" Built to the Order of Athel Lines Ltd, London by Smith Docks Ltd, Southbank-on-Tees
Industry sponsored film 1950 9 mins Silent Location: Middlesbrough
Grandeur, excitement and pride for a Middlesbrough crowd at the Smiths Dock launch of a ship for the Sugar Line.
Hebburn
Watch for free
Guinness - Shipwright Version 1 Guinness - Shipwright Version 1
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Hebburn
Stout Geordie shipwright Martin Welsh opts for stout after work in this regional TV spot.
Watch for free
Here Comes the Bride Here Comes the Bride
Amateur film 1948 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A wonderfully sophisticated take on the wedding film crafted by a Tyneside musician for his brother and a stylish bride.
Watch for free
Launch of the MV Innesmoor Launch of the MV Innesmoor
Amateur film 1954 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
Explore the gleaming new interiors of the Tyne-built cargo ship Innesmoor.
Watch for free
Hebburn Clegwell Boys Modern School Hebburn Clegwell Boys Modern School
Amateur film 1952 13 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A class act on the stage as school boys in drag tackle Gilbert and Sullivan’s swashbuckling opera.
Watch for free
Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn
Non-Fiction 1928 7 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A vivid portrait of a tough working Tyneside community in Hebburn at the opening of a Roman Catholic infant school.
Watch for free
Northern Star Northern Star
Industry sponsored film 1963 31 mins Location: Hebburn
A spectacular send off for migrants on board the Northern Star, a new ocean liner built and launched on Tyneside.
New
Watch for free
Fun on the Clothesline Fun on the Clothesline
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A deft music hall act adapted for film, featuring the only known appearance of pioneer filmmaker Robert Paul
Watch for free
Saab: New Delivery Saab: New Delivery
Advert 1985 2 mins
Take a fighter jet, a Top Gun pilot with sunglasses and a brand new SAAB 900 and you have a sure-fire vehicle to launch a Hollywood career.
Watch for free
The Lost Highway The Lost Highway
Promotional 2019 10 mins
A wandering warrior dreams of a new form of expression, in this promo for UNKLE’s album The Road: Part II / Lost Highway Pt. II directed by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones.
Watch for free
Colour on the Thames Colour on the Thames
1935 16 mins
A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.
Watch for free
After Eights: Terrace After Eights: Terrace
1965 1 mins Location: York
A world away from zany humour, Richard Lester shows he can also capture the easy opulence of the upper class nibbling After Eight mints.
Watch for free
What's Missing from this Picture? What's Missing from this Picture?
Advert 1946 1 mins Silent
Life is looking up! The war is over and the “Corona” Man can visit his “Corona” families once more, door-to-door.
About the archive
Know this place?
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location