An amateur film produced by Alan Johnson capturing the final journeys of the Shields Ferry S.S. Northumbrian on the 25th April, 1972 as it transports the last of its passengers across the River Tyne from South to North Shields and back again. Three older men wait for the arrival of the Shield’s Ferry S.S. Northumbrian at South Shields. The vessel approaches slowly manoeuvring into position along the landing site. A ramp walkway is lowered, and passengers disembark as smoke billows from the...

An amateur film produced by Alan Johnson capturing the final journeys of the Shields Ferry S.S. Northumbrian on the 25th April, 1972 as it transports the last of its passengers across the River Tyne from South to North Shields and back again. Three older men wait for the arrival of the Shield’s Ferry S.S. Northumbrian at South Shields. The vessel approaches slowly manoeuvring into position along the landing site. A ramp walkway is lowered, and passengers disembark as smoke billows from the coal funnel. With everyone onboard the Northumbrian departs heading across the River Tyne to North Shields. Passengers wonder about the deck, children looking out onto river at the various other ships either moored or travelling along it. The vessel arrives at North Shields and again the ramp walkway is lowered with passengers gathering around it. Lower they begin to disembark make their way onto dry land. A new group of passengers climbs aboard as the crew make ready for the journey back across to South Shields. The rampway is raised and the Northumbrian gets underway again. Moored nearby is the replacement for Northumbrian, the diesel-powered Freda Cunningham. Back on the landing at South Shields the camera captures the Northumbrian, possibly for the last time, as it leaves for North Shields with the sun setting in the background.