Published on 16 July 2018
Life and Death at Sea in the 19th Century is the next in our Community Lecture series, 2018. This year’s free and entertaining talks welcome authoritative guest speakers on the theme of the river ships.
Taking place on Wednesday 18 July 2018, 2.30pm, the talk byGeorge Patterson looks at the Tall Ships today and how they have come to symbolise romance and adventure but the reality for the Sunderland seafarers of the 19th Century was very different.
Overloaded, undermanned and badly maintained “coffin ships” made seafaring the most dangerous of occupations. George will look at that way of life and at Samuel Plimsoll’s campaign for reform.
George taught local history in Sunderland for 30 years as a tutor for the Extra Mural Department of Durham University and was principal of Van Mildert College from 2000-2004.
His talk takes place at 2.30pm, in the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre, Prospect Building, St Peter’s Campus. The lectures are open to everyone and last about one hour. There is no need to book but those attending are asked to arrive between 2pm and 2.30pm to register before the lecture begins.
There is (pay) parking in the grounds of the campus and St Peter’s Metro Station is within a few minutes walking distance. Alternatively the regular 700 bus service runs from the Park Lane Bus Station to St. Peter’s Campus itself.
The lectures run May to August and are organised by the Workers’ Educational Association, Wearside University of the Third Age, Sunderland Heritage Forum and the University of Sunderland.
For more information about the 2018 Community Lectures Series contact Paul Haustead on (0191) 515 3265, or email events@sunderland.ac.uk
The next Community Lectures include:
Wednesday 8 August 2018, 2.30pm
What can Nelson tell us about climate change? Dennis Wheeler
Many thousands of Royal Navy logbooks have survived, some from as early as the late 17th century. This presentation includes a discussion of the history and content of logbooks and demonstrates how they can provide an insight into our understanding of climate change.
Dennis was a lecturer at the University of Sunderland from 1979 until his retirement in 2013. He has led a number of funded international research projects in climate change, authored three books and published over 100 scientific papers. In 1993 he was a TV weather forecaster for Tyne-Tees television.
Wednesday 22 August 2018, 2.30pm
“A ship of brilliant qualities”, Jack Curtis
The clipper ship Torrens was one of the most famous clippers and recognized by Joseph Conrad, who served on her, and many others as also one of the finest ships ever built. This talk will review the story of the Torrens in the context of the world of clippers.
Jack is a former engineer turned writer, poet and local speaker, and member of Living History North East and Sunderland Maritime Heritage Trust. He has recently written a book on John Murray, the resident harbour engineer of Sunderland who designed and built the South Dock.