Show on map “Sea Jack” has appeared this week to start erecting an offshore windfarm
It instantly gathered many complaints due to the noise it was making, perhaps thats what these gentlemen were monitoring the next day.
Reports of mysterious earthquakes or sonic booms were then reported on Wednesday, which surely must be linked.
Sea Jack
Year Built: 2003
Length x Breadth: 95 m X 33 m
Gross Tonnage: 5769, DeadWeight: 4579 t
Flag: Denmark [DK]
Call Sign: OXKR2
Show on map The windmill at Ugthorpe has been converted into a house.
The windmill can be seen in a state of disrepair in 1954 although an earlier photo shows the sails intact.
Show on map No trace remains of the cemetery as it was cleared in 1962 and the news reports below say some remaining headstones were removed in 1978 (although locals say they were still there well into the 1980s)
The site is vast and over 11,000 people are buried under the park including Sir Hugh Gilzean Reid (founder of the Evening Gazette), ironmaster John Gjiers and the children of ironmasters Bolckow and Vaughan.
A great deal of research has been done into the site by Steve Waller which you can read about on the Northern Echo and Evening Gazette websites.
Amazing theres currently absolutely nothing in the way of signs or memorials, so its unfortunately another example of Middlesbrough forgetting its past.
Thanks to Peter Edwards for pointing this one out, there may still be a display in the entrance of the Teesside Archives, but I don’t know if its still there.
Show on map The present market cross designed by John Shout was constructed in 1875 at a cost of £45, replacing an earlier cross.
A surveyors benchmark can be seen at the base of the column, its also said that the flame was once gilded so it resembled a giant match in honour of local inventor John Walker.
The cross has been the center of attention for many years, founding Methodist John Wesley preached from the steps and it was the site of the local stocks.
In 1933 it was the scene of ‘The Battle of Stockton‘ a clash with Mosley’s fascist blackshirts.
Show on map A Roman settlement was discovered a few years ago during the development of The Forum area of Ingleby Barwick. A Roman Villa is still unexcavated and being preserved under the village green. The rest of the site was excavated just before building houses.
Many thanks to Nat Snell for bringing this one to my attention, below is a slideshow of his pictures of the excavations.
There a lot more detail available on this site on the Tees Archaeology website
Show on map This ship is a full scale replica of Captain James Cook’s original
Although the same size, this replica is built with a steel frame rather than timber and is not designed to go to sea.
The boat is permanently in Stockton, although there is a second full-size replica in existance which does tour the world.
Show on map This sculpture of greyhounds by Irene Brown was installed in 1995
It was originally on Dovecot Street, but was relocated when the Wellington Square shopping centre was built
Show on map The bridge was opened on 20th June 1887 by Alderman Joseph Richardson, named the Victoria Bridge after the Queen as that day was the 50th anniversary of her reign.
The other plaque records that the Stockton Bridge Act was passed on the 18th July 1881 and the bridge was a joint effort between the Stockton Corporation and the South Stockton Local Board
Despite the huge amount of local industry it was actually built by Whitaker Brothers of Leeds, something reflected in the lamps that were cast by John Butler at the Stanningley Ironworks near Leeds.
Another interesting observation is that parts of the bridge still carry damage from the Second World War bombing of Stockton.
Show on map This unusual ‘coffee pot’ locomotive built by Head Wrightson of Thornaby dates from 1870
The loco spent most of its working life at Seaham Harbour where it was designated “16”
Coffee Pot No.33 from 1873 was also used at Seaham (where it was designated “17”) this locomotive can now be seen at Beamish
Also at Beamish is the more recently restored Coffee Pot No.1
Update : As of August 2012 the loco has been removed from the roundabout and relocated to Preston Park Museum. I will try to get some photos after they’ve given it a lick of paint perhaps ?
Show on map Ivy Close was a silent film actress born in Stockton in 1890 (although some websites say 1893, nothing new with confusion about actresses ages)
Ivy won ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’ contest organised by The Daily Mirror in 1908. Theres a huge amount of additional information and photos on the Picture Stockton site.
She was married to the photographer Elwin Neame, their son Roland Neame directed many films including The Poseidon Adventure.
The dynasty continued with their TV producer grandson Christopher Neame and great-grandson Gareth Neame.