Low Southwick was home to an array of shipyards in the early to mid-19th century. One such was James Carr, who was located on the southernmost head of Low Southwick, just east of where the Queen Alexandra Bridge is now situated. This is verified by a tithe apportionment of 1839, where James Carr and Thomas Dixon are leasing shipbuilding yards from John Stafford Esq. on this site.

Our first insight into the site is this same plan. A heap is shown, which may be a remnant of the limekiln or quarry working next door, alongside a single building in the centre of the enclosure. There is nothing else apparent despite Carr building here for some six years prior, so it’s likely they were simply built on the quay, perhaps on berths. Housing also popped up next door on land owned by Elizabeth Ogle, which may have accommodated some of Carr’s workers.

Less than a dozen vessels were built here. From 1833, eight ships destined to move general cargo and coal were produced until 1836. One of their ships, a brig named “Vigilant”, was ironically wrecked on a voyage from the Tyne to Swinemunde in Poland with a cargo of coal. It ran ashore at Anholt, Germany, to prevent sinking.

James Carr ended up bankrupt in 1840. He was still listed as leasing the yard in 1839, perhaps awaiting contracts; however, there was a great slump in shipbuilding at this time. The slump arguably led to the bankruptcy of Carr, when a timber merchant held security on Carr’s ships and yard. Around 40 builders failed at this time, as well as many commercial premises, who were all part of the general supply chain.

The site was used as a shipbuilding yard for at least two decades thereafter. The next confirmed builders were Jopling & Willoughby in the 1850s, who produced around a dozen vessels for general cargo. The Jopling name is fairly common in Wearside’s industrial circles, so it may be quite possible this fellow is related to the E. Jopling of the Pallion Steam Works, who were established in 1821. We are able to confirm the location of this yard, as the sale notice in the Shipping & Mercantile Gazette of 08/09/1858 states it adjoined the Attwood & Co Glass Works, which is visible on the Ordnance Survey.

The firm used English oak to construct their ships, and the auction notice also features a hull for their last built ship, likely the Hermon Hill, alongside a wooden warehouse and iron. From Jopling & Willoughby, we do not yet know who worked at this yard, but the entry will be updated accordingly.

Nowadays, pretty much the exact boundary of the site is extant as part of an industrial yard. There is no trace of Carr’s yard except, perhaps, the quay wall.