The Fleet in Captain's Wharfe
This former dry dock is now the home of a sculpture instalation depicting a fleet of tiny stainless steel sailing ships
Captain’s Wharfe is the name of an up-market housing development surrounding a former dry dock in South Shields, England. The name is now often applied to the dock itself which is the home of an amazing sculpture of sailing ships by Irene Brown. The dock was opened in 1956 with the intention of it being able to deal with the largest oil tankers in use at the time. The company went out of business in 1982 (after a period of public ownership). The area has now been severely “gentrified” including the inland end of the dock being separated off, by a very low bridge, to house the sculptural installation known as “Fleet” which is a group of 7 stainless steel “models” of local collier brigs which used to carry coal from Tyneside down the east coast to London and also across the North Sea. In 1890 over 9000 cargoes of coal were carried to London in such vessels.
The ships appear to be floating in the isolated pool of water, The design of the vessels is the same that being held by a fantastic bronze statue (also by Irene Brown) known as ‘Spirit of South Shields’, and also identical to the weathervane on top of South Shields Town Hall. The vessels are really representative of the majority of marine trade from the Tyne during the 19th century. The brightly polished vessels are said to: ” reflect patterns of both moving sky and water and give the impression of a fleet heading out to sea”. The installation was completed in 2009 and was commissioned by South Tyneside District Council.
Know Before You Go
The nearest parking lot is in North Street. If travelling from the North Bank of the Tyne the Shields Ferry from North Shields is a convenient route. Nearest Metro station is "South Shields ". The dock is poorly served by buses.
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