Historian reveals ancestor was a maritime pioneer
Wearside historian Keith Gregson has revealed how one of his ancestors was a maritime pioneer.
The former teacher has been looking into the history of his great great uncle Willie Pottinger who lived in places such as St Vincent Street and Otto Terrace in Sunderland.
But that does not tell the whole story of a man who served on North Eastern sailing ships in the 1860s before taking command of steamships in the 1870s.
Keith told us: “In 1881, while in charge of a large Tyneside built steamer, he opened up a new route from the north east to Baltimore in the United States.
He plied this route for a number of years on Wearside-built vessels too – the Ashdell and the Albano.”
Keith told how the press of the time were reporting that steamers were fast replacing sailing vessels and, in time, would probably altogether supercede them.
Keith added: “As late as the 1880s, some people were still surprised by the progress of steamships although they had been around in one form or another since the early 19th century.
“In a similar vein, the motor car did not immediately strike down the horse as a form of transport nor did the diesel railway engine stop the steam engine.
Historians note that the Wear carried on producing sailing ships longer than most other British shipbuilding towns and cities and were a little late into the steamship market – a good reason for the Tall Ships to doff their sails in our general direction on their way into port.”
Keith has now completed his research work called ‘From Shetland to Keel Square’ and is looking to publish around the time the Tall Ships visit Sunderland.
And watch out for more from Keith in the weeks to come.