Dennis Ainsley Douglass was a foremost shipbuilder at Monkwearmouth through the 1840s to the 1860s. Dennis was born around 1819 at Monkwearmouth and lived at 239 Barclay Street, which was directly opposite the old Monkwearmouth Station. His commute was a short one as his yard was situated at Ravens Wheel, a small area near Wearmouth Colliery on the riverside. It is stated in an Echo piece from 25/08/1886 that Douglass carried on his business "for many years" at a site rented from the Monkwearmouth Colliery Co. by Charles Gibson afterwards, which supports our location.

There are 26 vessels recorded as being built by Douglass from 1848 to 1875, however it is also stated he was a major repairer. He reputedly had a floating dock and gridiron at this location, though unfortunately I can't verify this as they are not shown on Ordnance Survey maps. There was a heavily silted bank against the river wall which may have been the site of this gridiron. Douglass constructed general cargo ships for local merchants on the Wear and Tyne as well as further afield like Wales and Kings Lynn. They arrear of superior quality too, as some were still registered into the 20th century.

By the 1860s Douglass moved to Southwick. By this time his constructions came more spurious, which may imply a focus on repairing or even a relocation. This is very difficult to confirm.

Douglass died in 1878, living at Roker Avenue by the time of his death & retirement - his last ship built 3 years earlier. His personal estate was under £450, around £35k today, so did live well by the end comparatively. The shipyard was taken over by Charles Gibson.