1969 Supertanker launch without a hitch.

Crowds on the ballast hill in 1969 watching the launch of the Esso Northumbria.

Esso Northumbria launch in 1969. It was the first of a number of Supertankers.

Ballast Hill view in 1969

Esso Hibernia was the next one after this & was sister ship to the Northumbria.

Perfect launch of a quarter of a million ton Supertanker

This was the night before the launch & taken from the Ferry.

1969 Esso Northumbria launch

This was 'The London Lion' Supertanker in 1972 from Hebburn riverside.

'The Tyne Pride' a 262,000 ton Supertanker & largest ever built on the river in 1976..

This is 'The London Lion' in Feb 1972. Wallsend ferry landing next to it is towed to a safer location on launch days.Photo taken from the Ferry.

The massive Esso Northumbria Supertankers propeller.

Notice the man working on it in 1969?. I took this photo from the ferry.