Tanfield Marine Engineers

The photos below were taken on Saturday, & are courtesy of Bob Hedley

The brig Stavros S Niarchos tied up at Sunderland
(Brigs have 2 main masts)

Tanfield volunteers Nigel & Bob on board Stavros

Stavros is a sail training ship - follow her current position 

Note that the start for the Tall Ships Race in 2018 will be Sunderland port.

The photos above are courtesy of Bob Hedley, who has a long association with the Stavros.

Collier Brigs
Before steam & iron, ie in waggonway days, collier brigs were the mainstay of the North East to Thames coal trade.   They were sturdy ships, & beachable for offloading.   Cook used converted collier brigs for his round the world voyages.   Collier crews were equally sturdy, so targetted by Nelson's press gangs.   Google for more info & paintings.

Reducing sail on a collier brig as the North Sea gets heavier

Collier brig aground for offloading to lighters