History of Seaham - Stories and remarkable and memorable events in the history of Seaham Railways, roads and transport in Seaham Discovery of pre-1905 car built at Seaham Harbour Engine Works (1956)
Seaham Harbour– Could it have been a major UK car manufacturing centre?
The UK car manufacturing industry is a vital part of the UK economy with production facilities centred in Coventry, Longbridge, Swindon, Sunderland, Castle Bromwich and West Midlands. If fate had been kinder and events had taken a different turn this list could have included Seaham Harbour.
Lord Londonderry was probably the only Cabinet Minister in the early 20th century who was a motor manufacturer. The Londonderry Engine Works and Wagon Works made and repaired railway trucks and railway engines for his railways and docks at Seaham. It was suggested that instead of paying off and dismissing the men for whom there was insufficient employment on railway rolling stock that they should be re-deployed in the manufacture of heavy motor trucks. The idea was adopted and after innumerable tests a heavy steam delivery waggon was built. Many orders were placed by local firms and a special staff of workmen were permanently engaged.
A prototype petrol driven car was also built around 1905. It never went into production and the model was unique. It is commonly referred to as the SHEW car.
In 1956 Mr George Kendrew from Norton was looking for a vintage car to take part in the London-Brighton veteran car rally and he discovered the SHEW car at Wynyard Hall the County Durham estate of Lord Londonderry. This photograph shows George Kendrew in 1957 with the Shew car restored to its original condition. The old employees on the Wynyard Estate believe the car was last used in 1914.
Who knows what might have happened if events had been different and Lord Londonderry had progressed the SHEW car from prototype to production? Seaham might have been acclaimed for car manufacturing as well as coal mining.
SHEW car (Seaham Harbour Engine Works) bought by George Kendrew and shown at the gates of Wynyard Hall in 1956
George Kendrew of Norton in 1957 with the SHEW car restored to it's original condition.
George Kendrew outside Buckingham Palace at the start of the London - Brighton Rally
George Kendrew driving the SHEW car past the finish line in the London-Brighton Rally (The Sphere 9th November 1957)
Photograph of the SHEW car (Seaham Harbour Engine Works) taken by Fred Cooper at Beamish Museum 13th November 2013
Northern Mail 13th December 1956
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