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Graythorp basin JLP01_08_093188D
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Graythorp basin JLP01_08_093188D
Graythorp, Hartlepool. A view over the basin at Graythorp, showing in situ fabrication being carried out on the flotation tanks for an oil platform.
In the early 1970s Laing Pipelines Offshore constructed the Graythorp fabrication yard and dry dock on the site of the old William Gray Shipyard. The company created a dry dock which was used for the construction of fixed platform North Sea drilling rigs for the BP North Sea Oil Project. By 1972, one thousand men were working on site to build a tubular structure which would support a drilling rig in the North Sea destined for the Forties Oilfield
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24058886
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
1970s Construction Dry Dock Engineering Industry Marine Engineering Works Oil Industry
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the bustling Graythorp basin in Hartlepool during the 1970s. The image showcases the impressive in situ fabrication taking place on flotation tanks for an oil platform. Laing Pipelines Offshore, a prominent marine engineering company of that era, established the Graythorp fabrication yard and dry dock on the grounds of the former William Gray Shipyard. The construction site was abuzz with activity as skilled workers meticulously crafted tubular structures to support drilling rigs for BP's North Sea Oil Project. At its peak, around one thousand men were employed at this industrial hub, dedicating their expertise to build these towering platforms destined for deployment in the Forties Oilfield. The photograph offers a glimpse into an era when Britain's offshore industry was rapidly expanding and pushing boundaries in engineering and construction. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and determination as these colossal structures took shape against a backdrop of steel girders, cranes, and bustling workers. Preserved by Historic England Archive, this snapshot not only documents an important chapter in maritime history but also celebrates the achievements of those who played a vital role in shaping Britain's oil industry. From gray skies above to gray waters below, this image encapsulates both the grit and grandeur of industrial progress during that transformative period.
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