Join The Journey
For generations, the Tyne, Wear and Tees were synonymous with shipbuilding.
At its peak, the yards along these rivers produced around one third of all ships built in the world. But this industry didn’t just build vessels - it built our towns, our communities and our identity.
The industrialists who founded the shipyards also created strong communities where people worked, lived, worshipped and socialised together. Migration played a key role in this development. Jarrow became known as Little Ireland, while Hebburn was often referred to as Little Aberdeen.
Villages along the river grew into thriving towns, with thousands of livelihoods connected to the yards and the industries that supported them.
About Us
The Shipyard Heritage Museum is a community-driven project to create a permanent place where the history of shipbuilding on the River Tyne, Wear and Tees can be preserved and shared. The shipyards shaped our towns, employed generations of families, and built ships that travelled all over the world. This project exists to make sure those stories, skills, and communities are remembered for future generations.
Have a story about the yards? We would love to hear it! If you have any photos you would like to add, we have a community forum page that we would encourage you to post on!
Tell Your Story