New 28 December 2005
TEESSHIPS
A FAVOURITE SHIP
LIVERPOOL BRIDGE
In all walks of life tragedies occur. We all know how cruel the sea can be and, from time to time, I have seen and photographed a ship later to be lost sometimes with heavy loss of life. One such was built on my own River Tees.
LIVERPOOL BRIDGE (DERBYSHIRE)
The LIVERPOOL BRIDGE while building at Furness shipyard, Haverton Hill (River Tees) - photo from Mike Ridgard. Completed in 1976, she was lost with all hands as the DERBYSHIRE only four years later.
6.1976: completed by Swan Hunter S.Bs, Haverton Hill (successor to Furness) for Bibby Tankers Ltd; 1978 renamed DERBYSHIRE; missing 9.1980 (sunken vessel subsequently discovered and examined; enquiries and resultant controversy ongoing)
The date I have for her delivery is 18 May 1976 for on that evening the newly completed LIVERPOOL BRIDGE became the only vessel I have ever tracked along the river from the shipyard to sailing out past the South Gare.
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It always strikes me as appropriate to reiterate the words of the Seafarers' hymn to accompany something like this:
Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm doth bind the restless wave, who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.
O Saviour, whose almighty word the winds and waves submissive heard, who walkedst on the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage didst sleep: O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.
O sacred Spirit, who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, who bad'st its angry tumult cease, and gavest light and life and peace: O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of lover and power, our brethren shield in danger's hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe'er they go: And ever let there rise to Thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Words by William Whiting (1825-1878); tune MELITA by J.B. Dykes (1823-1876)
See also: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/e/t/eternalf.htm