John Readhead & Sons
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Founder | John Readhead, John Softley |
| Fate | Acquired by Swan Hunter in 1967; nationalised in 1977; closed in 1984 |
| Headquarters | South Shields , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | River Tyne, United Kingdom |
John Readhead & Sons was a privately owned shipbuilding firm founded in 1865, situated in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, along the banks of the River Tyne.
History
The company originated as Readhead and Softley, established by John Readhead together with John Softley. Their inaugural ship was a modest collier called Unus. On 17 May 1950, the shipyard launched the oil tanker Muristan commissioned by the Strick Line.
In 1967, after the Geddes Report advised consolidation of shipbuilding activities on the River Tyne, ownership of John Readhead & Sons was transferred to Swan Hunter. Both firms were subsequently nationalised in 1977. The South Shields yard ultimately closed its doors in 1984.