J. and D. Morris
J. and D. Morris of Pelaw Main, Gateshead, were shipbuilders
1903 'To-day is the eightieth birthday of the twin brothers, John and David Morris, of Pelaw Main, who for 56 years have carried on business the same place as boat builders and ship repairers, and they are the oldest existing firm of the kind on the banks the Tyne. They were born in a farm house which stood upon a portion of the site of the works, they have never been more than a mile removed from the spot where they first saw the light. The brothers have lived long and industrious life what was once a pleasantly sequestered bend of the river and is now little frequented except by those engaged in the shipment of coal at the adjacent spouts. The two veterans are the sons of John Christopher Morris, who was a shipwright, also served in the Royal Navy, being present at the taking of Java, Batavia, and Borneo. His service medal was long cherished by his son, Mr John Morris. The twins were apprenticed to be shipwrights and boatbuilders, and they succeeded in establishing an industry, which is carried on this day with considerable activity. They are hardy specimens of generation seldom to be met with now. They are Freemen of the City Newcastle, and until latterly Mr Morris took active part public affairs. He was a member the local School Board, and for twenty years occupied seat on the Hebburn Local Board. He is also steward of the Shipwrights' Society. Mr David Morris has not been a representative on any of the local bodies, but he has always taken a keen interest the well-being of the neighbourhood. Mr John Morris is a trifle deaf, but in other respects exhibits wonderful vitality. Neither of the brothers are abstainers or non-smokers, but they have been exceedingly moderate in their potations all their lives, and do not indulge freely the use of the weed. Mr John Morris, until quite recently, had never required the attentions a doctor, and equal good health has been enjoyed by Mr David, although it may be mentioned that the latter had an illness some three years ago. Mrs John Morris is still alive, but David Morris is a widower. They live neighbours in cottages of cosy appearance, erected of wood, on an eminence which commands a view of the Tyne for long way eastward and westward. To-day the twin octogenarians will receive the congratulations of their relatives and, many friends residing Pelaw Main and the immediate locality.'[1]
In the 19th Century they were largely a ship repairing yard on the North-East coast of England. However, by 1914 it started shipbuilding and completed five standard "C1" coasters.
1922 The yard had three berths for building steel steam coasters, usually between 300-400 grt.
1923 The yard went into liquidation leaving a partially built ship called Greyfriars (the largest ship it had ever built) partly-framed. The vessel was completed by T. Mitchison. There was also a long boilermaker strike in the same year which heralded the demise of the yard.
1928 'The shipbuilding yard of Messrs J. and D. Morris, Ltd., one of the oldest on the Tyne, having been established in 1847, which is in liquidation, was offered for sale by auction yesterday at Pelaw Main Slipway'[2]
1935 'The old Pelaw Shipyard, formerly owned by Messrs J. and D. Morris, Ltd., has been sold to a syndicate of local business men, who intend to develop the site....The site covers an area of about 25 acres; it has an extensive river frontage and adjoins the railway. Formerly known as the Pelaw Slipway, it was owned and operated by twin brothers, Joseph and David Morris, both of whom lived to a great age and died within a few months of each other.'[3]
See Also
Sources of Information
British Shipbuilding Yards. 3 vols by Norman L. Middlemiss