S.P. Austin & Son Ltd, Builders of the Betty Hindley. Founded in 1826 by Peter Austin as the Nova Scotia Shipyard, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. In 1869, with Iron ship building now leading the way, Austin's built their last wooden vessel. For the next couple of years the company focused on repairs to Iron built vessels and aquiring surrounding land to further expand their business. In 1874 the company built their first Iron ship, and by 1881 were employing in excess of 400 men. During WW1 Austin's built 13 colliers and 5 small naval craft. By 1914 Austins were employing some 800 men. In 1954 Austins merged with W. Pickersgill and Son to become Austin and Pickersgill. In 1956 the yard closed.
Above ... Betty Hindley 2 (built 1943) by S.P. Austin & Son Ltd. Outwardly the same build as the Betty Hindley lost in 1941 whilst attached to convoy Fs-559.
BETTY HINDLEY (Convoy FS - 559)
Position ... 52 54 5 N / 001 43 5 E ??
Cargo ... Coal, Wear to London
Built ... 1941
Construction ... Steel
Tonnage ... 1738 grt
Dimensions ... 78 x 11.67 x 5.73 mtrs
Engine ... x1 triple expansion / 3 cylinders
Power ... 194 nhp
Lost ... 06/08/1941
Cause ... Ran aground
Builder ... S.P. Austin & Son Ltd, Sunderland
Engine builder ... North Eastern Marine Engineers, Sunderland
Owner at time of loss ... Stephenson Clarke & Associated Companies Ltd (Normandy Shipbuilding Co Ltd) London
Type ... Cargo. Long raise quarter deck, engines aft, bridge midships, raked bow, cruiser stern, x4 holds.
UKHO
Please note ... at present (23/10/2019), the UKHO does not have the Betty Hindley listed. The position given above only offers the approximate area in which the remains of the Betty Hindley are believed to be.
Circumstances of loss
Built in 1941, the Betty Hindley was all but out of her builders hands and on her maiden voyage when she ran aground on Haisborough sands on the 06/08/1941. For a detailed account of the loss of the Betty Hindley please follow the link below to the Oxshott and the Gallois.
Vessels lost on Haisborough sands from convoy FS-559
SS Aberhill, SS Afon Towy, SS Betty Hindley, SS Deerwood, SS Gallois, SS Oxshott, SS Taara
Below ... Ships under repair at S.P. Autsin & Son in the 1953, the vessel at the front right being high and dry on a pontoon dock.