Benjamin Hodgson & James Gardner went into partnership in the middle of the 19th century and went on to construct at least 20 ships on the bank of the Wear. The exact location is not known, but is very likely to be either off Ferryboat Lane or at Nab End on the west side of North Hylton.

Benjamin Hodgson was 48 living at 14 North Hylton in 1841, and born in the village. He came from a family of carpenters and woodmongers, so he was perhaps in charge of fitting out the ships. It has been incredibly difficult to find any information on Gardner, so I wouldn't like to speculate on his background.

They both built for an assortment of merchants along the east coast, from Newcastle & Birtley down to Scarborough and Goole. They ended up on the routes down south to London as well as to the Baltics.

As noted, the yard wasn't what we would come to expect per se, just an allotted parcel of land on the riverbank likely featuring a small sawmill and a timber building berth.

There is sadly little other information out there on the builders or the site itself.