Ralph Hutchinson principally worked at this site for much of his career, alongside in partnership with his brother at Low Street, Bishopwearmouth. Ralph was the son of John Hutchinson, the patriarch of the shipbuilding family who previously commenced work at the North Sands and eventually moved over to Panns Bank by 1814. However, it appears family bust-ups led the children to work seperately. He made his animosity toward them clear in a newspaper piece from 1849, when they named a ship after him without his approval or consent. Mail and payments were being made with his name included, despite their relationship having been severed for the previous 11 years. He was concerned this would disrupt his business, so he published a public statement separating his interests and ensuring everyone was aware they were distinct entities.

As noted, Ralph predominantly worked at Three Cranes Wharf from 1834 through to 1853. It has been incredibly difficult to pinpoint the exact site of Three Cranes Wharf, but an excerpt from the Newcastle Guardian of 28/09/1850 helped somewhat. It states a 14 year old boy was crushed by the engine at the Beamish Drops at Three Cranes Wharf. Now coal certainly wasn't exported from Beamish here, so I'm wondering if it was a term for Pemberton's Drops which were next door. This site on the 1850s town plans also features three cranes in total without a formal dock, which fits the criteria for a wharf against other shipbuilding sites nearby. There was also a timber yard - Ralph was a timber merchant alongside his marine commitments, a store house, boiler and smithy.

There were over 20 vessels constructed at Monkwearmouth over the course of two decades, primarily for regional merchants. Ralph also owned a coppered barque which was advertised to Wearside emigrants in 1849 to leave for Panama and California from Hartlepool. Ralph was, of course, the man who funded and built Mackie's Corner in Sunderland City Centre and was opened in the same year.

Ralph appears to have ceased activities in 1853 at this yard, but went onto construct a few other vessels until 1870 somewhere in Sunderland. Three Cranes Wharf is now vacant land underneath the new footbridge.

Thanks to Peter Hutchinson for providing vital resources to understand the Hutchinson shipbuilders further.