George Burton Hunter
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George Burton Hunter (1845-1937) was an ebullient and inventive shipping magnate born in Cousin Street, Sunderland and as a child was taken round the world by his father in the 454 ton William and Jane. He was apprenticed in the William Pile Yard and though self-educated, swiftly rose to be acting manager. After a period on the Clyde, Hunter went into a prosperous partnership with S.P Austin. It was at this time that he devised the cellular or double-bottom construction, first used in the screw steamer Fenton in 1876.
In 1879 Hunter moved to Tyneside as managing partner of C.S.Swan and Hunter with a tiny yard at Wallsend. The enterprise flourished and 40 iron cargo steamers were built before 1883. Ten years later Swan Hunter was the leading Tyneside yard.
The first Cunarder Ultonia was built in 1898 followed by others and the celebrated express liner Mauretania in 1906. Hunter devised the great glass-walled sheds to house the leviathan and protect the working personnel from the weather. In addition, he used innovatory overhead electric cranes which can be seen in pictures of the Mauretania launch.
Hunter remained an energetic administrative figure in Swan Hunter’s widespread operations until late age and made his last crossing of the Atlantic at 86. He died at his house The Willows in Clayton Road, Newcastle.
[edit] References
- Myers, Alan. GEORGE BURTON HUNTER (1845 -1937).
- Rutherford, Wilfrid (1934). The Man who built the “Mauretania.” Big ships and great ideals. The life story of Sir George B. Hunter, etc.. London: Hillside Press. [1]
