The shipyards were a huge part of Sunderland’s past and here are nine photos from a yard that many will remember.
From clocking off to watching a ship launch, we have it all in these scenes.
Take a look and then get in touch to share your own shipyard recollections.
![The two new diesel hopper barges when they were launched at the North Sands yard of Joseph L Thompson in 1959.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE5NDAxOTczLTAyNTktNGI4Ni1hOTdlLWI3YjY1NjczMDkwOTo1MWU1Y2MwOS1iOTkwLTQwMjktYTAyMy1lN2QwMGI3YjY2ZmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. A launch in 1959
The two new diesel hopper barges when they were launched at the North Sands yard of Joseph L Thompson in 1959. Photo: Sunderland Echo
![The Duke of Edinburgh at the North Sands shipyard of Joseph L Thompson in 1963. Did you meet him?](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE5MmIwOTkwLTA4ODUtNDc5Mi1hODVhLWU5MWI5YmQ3MjA3NDo0ZjljMmFjOS03NTk1LTRkYmItYjFhYS04MDBhYTQ5YTFhZWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Royal day
The Duke of Edinburgh at the North Sands shipyard of Joseph L Thompson in 1963. Did you meet him? Photo: Sunderland Echo
![Modernisation at the yard in 1970.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmMxMjg3MDkzLTc4N2YtNGIwNC04MDQ2LTIzNTJhNzdiYTQ5ODo4NDdhYTkwZS0wZjE5LTRkYTQtYjMxYy0xMTg0ZGNiMTY1YWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![The North Sands yard of Joseph L Thompson and Sons - and that of John Crown and Sons - lit by the glare of arc lights in 1951.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdhZGI3OTMzLTFhYzItNDE2NS04MGM5LTRjN2RmMGFkZWU4MjoxMGI1ZDQyYS02NTViLTQxNzAtOGQ5My02MjYwNDY3ZjljYmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Illuminating in the 50s
The North Sands yard of Joseph L Thompson and Sons - and that of John Crown and Sons - lit by the glare of arc lights in 1951. Photo: SE
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