Ship Building and Launching

Kinkora - Ritson Yard - 1999 tons - ready for broadside launch in 1888

Kinkora Launching broadside imminent with huge crowds 1888
Maryport shipbuilding broadside launch from where The Wave is now, into the River Ellen with crowds lining the hillside and a successful launch. The Ritson built Kinkora " of 1999 tons in 1888 after broadside launching into the River Ellen with huge crowds 1888. Location is now the Wave building. Source Robinson p17

Kinkora - broadside launch action shot with plate glass camera in 1888

Kinkora Launching broadside sends wave onto huge crowds 1888
The Ritson built Kinkora of 1999 tons broadside launching into the River Ellen with huge crowds 1888. Location is now The Wave building. Source Robinson p17

Kinkora - broadside launch success - action shot with plate glass camera in 1888

Kinkora Launching broadside successfully with huge crowds 1888
Maryport shipbuilding broadside launch from where The Wave is now, into the River Ellen with crowds lining the hillside and a successful launch. The Ritson built Kinkora " of 1999 tons in 1888 after broadside launching into the River Ellen with huge crowds 1888. Location is now the Wave building. Source Robinson p17

Lycidas built by Ritson 1902

Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (2)
Lycidas ready to launch sideways into the River Ellen at Maryport
Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (3)
Lycidas launches sideways into the River Ellen
Lycidas Launching built by Ritson 1902
The Lycidas The launching of the Lycidas built by Ritson 1902. Source Robinson p18
Lycidas at sea
Lycidas, built in 1902, by Ritsons. Seen here being broadside launched at Ritsons shipyard. Displacement 850 tons and as dimensions 176 x 27 1/6 x 10 feet. The horsepower of 780 hp allowed a speed of 9-10 knots. Lycidas would later become Chang in the Siamese Navy. Seen here underway on October 15th, 1935. https://www.history.navy.mil/.../NH-92000/NH-92039.html. Source Maryport Through The Ages Facebook

This ship originally was built in Britain as LYCIDAS and served later as BUK and VIDES KICHKAR before being named CHANG. Siamese Naval Transport PHYAYOM.  The photo is CHANG (Thai Naval Transport, 1902-1962) photographed on October 15, 1935.  Chang registered as NH 92039 was a Thai Naval Transport. This ship worked from 1902 – 1962.

Lycidas Ladies Launching 1902

Lycidas Launching ladies grandstand view of Lycidas 576 tons built by Ritson 1902
The Lycidas Ladies with a grandstand view of the launching of the Lycidas of 576 tons built by Ritson 1902. Source Robinson p18

Figurehead carved for prow of a ship

Mary Ann Johnston Figure head of the ship of Maryport By James Brooker Maryport
Figure head of the ship Mary Ann Johnston of Maryport carved by James Brooker of Maryport. Source Robinson p6

Southerfield 707 tons the last wooden ship built by Ritson and launched broadside in 1885

Southerfield Launching 707 tons the last wooden ship built by Ritson launched broadside
The Southerfield 707 tons the last wooden ship built by Ritson and launched broadside in 1885. was the last wooden ship built by Ritsons and came off the ways broadside in 1885. Owned by Ritson's she had a career of only three years when she was burned off Cape Horn in 1888, another ship being close at hand the crew was taken on board unharmed. A memorial in the Maryport Cemetery bears the inscription:- "William Beeby Bettony" killed at sea on the Barque Southerfield - August 28th, 1882. aged 15 years .” Source Robinson p16

Ship launching sideways at Ritson yard into River Ellen

Maryport broadside launch splash into River Ellen Ritson shipbuilders Sea Breezes 1927
Making a splash. The first stage of a launch into the narrow waters of River Ellen for shipbuilder Messrs Ritson. Photo by Baxter, of Maryport. Sea Breezes June 1927.

Ship launching sideways at Ritson yard into River Ellen

Launching At Ritson Shipyard
Launching At Ritson Shipyard
Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (2)
Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (2)
Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (1)
Launching Broadside Into River Ellen (1)
Maryport Quay from Settlement with ship on ribs ship ready for sideways launch swing bridge
Maryport Quay from Settlement with ship on ribs ship ready for sideways launch swing bridge
Maryport Quay from Settlement with ship on ribs ship ready for sideways launch swing bridge
Maryport Quay from Settlement with ship on ribs ship ready for sideways launch swing bridge