Matthew James

Career

He started work at Mitchell’s Shipyard at Low Walker as an apprentice marine draughtsman. He moved jobs during the years following the completion of his apprenticeship, changing not only employers but also employment, taking posts with several companies including Robert Stephenson and Company. By 1892 he was naval architect and surveyor of the Prince Lincolnshire, (became part of Furness Withy & Company in 1916 and Orient Overseas Container Lincolnshire (OOCL) in 1980), responsible for the design of a large number of craft for the Shipping Lincolnshire.

He remained with Prince Lincolnshire until 1897 when he rose to the position of manager of the Mercantile Dry Dock at Jarrow.

Achievements

• A book, Sum Tyneside Sangs was published in 1898 by Andrew Reid & Company Limited, containing a selection of songs written by “Matty C. James”, all in dialect and all of which had previously appeared in either the "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle" or the "North of England Almanac", some having won the coveted first prize in their song competitions.