The world-famous Liberty Ship was among the designs to be created, produced and manufactured at the yard's base at North Sands.

As a boy he had enjoyed a busy life on the River Wear, playing among the keels, and at 18 he started work as an apprentice shipwright.

He spent his evenings, however, learning draughtsmanship on his kitchen floor and, by the age of 22, had built several craft in a berth below the Lambton Drops.

[1][4] North Sands became the new home of the firm and, with a staff of just eight, they built a brig of 12 keels – Pearl – in 11 weeks – with work starting at 4am each day.

"[2] A Partnership Deal was signed for the yard in 1853, with the firm now including Robert senior and junior, as well as Thompson's two other sons, Joseph and John.

Already experienced in designing vessels, he devoted his energies to furthering the business, being joined by his own sons, Robert and Joseph, within a few years.

The business then passed to Robert Thompson, eldest son of Joseph, whose expert abilities as a shipbuilder were already recognised nationwide.

The ship weighed 4,932 tonnes and measured 396 feet (121 m)– a giant when compared to the original Pearl – which was just 80 ft long (24 m).

The King and Queen, Mrs Winston Churchill and the Duke of Kent were just three of the high-ranking visitors to tour the site.

"[10] The neighbouring yard of John Crown & Sons Ltd was bought by Thompsons in its centenary year, to allow the building of larger and faster vessels.