DOWN TO THE SEA

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 18th Year

Issue

Issue No.

4

Date Released

Dec 1964

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1WARM AS TOAST
2. 2CONGRATULATIONS, GEORGE!
3. 3BIG WHEEL
4. 4DOWN TO THE SEA

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: the launching of a collier off Blyth, Northumberland.
NCB Commentary - Blyth in Northumberland is a place of ships and coal. 5 1/2 million tons are shipped each year - much of it to power stations in the south-east of England.
But Blyth not only feeds and fills colliers - she builds them.
This shipyard has others on its order books. The latest, the "Corchester" is being launched today.
Her three holds can stow away almost 7,000 tons of coal - (that’s about 350 trucks like these).
As the morning tide turns, the slipways are prepared.
The weight of the ship must be taken off the blocks on which she has rested during construction.
Time for finishing touches. Half-an-hour before launching the last blocks are removed. The traditional bottle of champagne is ready.
And right on time officials and guests arrive with Lady Robens, who is to launch the "Corchester".
A quick change of headgear and the new collier stands down to the water. After fitting-out and trials the "Corchester" will join the busy coal run from Blyth to the power stations of S. E. England. Coal by sea to produce coal by wire.

Keywords

Ships and boats; Industry and manufacture; Mining

Locations

England; Northumberland; Blyth

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit