Clydebuilt - Shipbuilding on the River Clyde
Clydebuilt I, II & III - Three new zines of photography of shipyards, shipbuilding and ship launches on the River Clyde, by Glasgow-based documentary photographer Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert.
“We name this ship…”
No finer words to hear over a tannoy than those, when standing looking at the massive hull of a ship towering above you. Beside you the workers and their families, all looking with pride on the shipbuilding project they’ve been working on for the past months. In front of you, groups of school kids, high with excitement, waving their flags and balloons, waiting for the eminent launch of the ship. Dignitaries in their fine clothes mill about, and look with interest at the latest Clydebuilt ship.
After the speeches, the words, the thanks and tributes, everyone strains their necks to try and see the champagne hit the hull and smash. Then a siren, an alert, a horn, it’s about to happen. A shipyard worker, or dignitary, presses the button that release the hulk of steel that towers above.
A crack as all the supports are released, and then the grind as the massive hull moves almost imperceptibly slowly at first. Then gathering speed, until momentum takes her and she slides down the slipway, stern first, into the waiting waters of the River Clyde.
Another ship launched, another ship has been Clydebuilt.
Clydebuilt I - These images were photographed in the Kvaerner Govan Ltd. shipyard, in Govan, Glasgow, at the launches of the Tai He container ship (1989), the Havis tanker ship (1992), the Jo Selje chemical tanker (1993), and the Sea Launch Commander (1996).
A5 size, 44 pages, 36 Black and white photographs. (Selected images below)
Clydebuilt II - These images were photographed within three yards on the River Clyde. Inside the Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd. yard in May 1996, at the launch of the Stirling Clyde offshore supply vessel. The launch of HMS Portland, a naval frigate, at the Marconi Marine shipyard in Scotstoun, May 1999, and the launch of the naval auxiliary ship Wave Ruler, in February 2001, at the BAE Systems Marine (YSL) Ltd. shipyard in Govan.
A5 size, 44 pages, 36 Black and white photographs. (Selected images below)
Clydebuilt III - Photographs from within the Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd shipyard in Port Glasgow, 2016-2024, showing the build of multiple vessels and the launch of the MV Glen Rosa passenger ferry in April 2024.
A5 size, 44 pages, 36 Colour photographs. (Selected images below)
I saw my first ship launch in 1989, and ever since I tried to gain access to the Glasgow shipyards when I could, and to witness more launches when they sporadically happen. But I’ve never forgotten my first visits to shipyards, seeing before me images the likes of which fellow Glaswegian documentary photographer, Oscar Marzaroli, photographed in the 1960s and which I admired.
I remember standing with awe below the hull of the Jo Selje, on assignment for a Sunday newspaper, and looking at the enormous propellor above me. Tons and tons of weight, out of the water, all ready for the launch the next day. The workers, the men who’d built her with their hands, milled round, tidying up, last minute preparations. An incredible sight.
Within these three new zines I show the photographs from within the last shipyards on the River Clyde, and of the launches I’ve been lucky enough to attend across three decades. I hope they capture a sense of the day, of the size of the ships, of the pride of the people who built them, the excitement of visitors who’ve come to see them launched, and that they stand as testament to the hard work and ships known across the world as having been Clydebuilt.
Many of the images have never been seen before, nor available before in any of my publications or previous zines.
A couple of years ago when I was working on my archive I came across 5 rolls of 35mm black and white film, from a ship launch of Wave Ruler at BAE Systems on the River Clyde, that I had attended, but then forgotten about. Finding those five rolls of film seemed like discovering treasure, holding them up to the light and being reunited with images I’d photographed years previously.
It’s great to now have these three zines bring you the best of all my shipbuilding photographs from across the years and my career. I hope you enjoy them.
The zines are designed by Cabin8Design, with whom I work regularly. Get in touch with them if you also need some zines or publications designed.
Best wishes,
Jeremy & the team.