Subject strengths: Maritime History

The Marine Technology Special Collection (MTSC), is a unique historical resource of marine technical documents from British shipbuilding, including the less well documented marine engine building, ship repairing, and ship breaking industries. The collection spans the mid-19th century to 2000, with an emphasis on North East England. The collection includes company documents, technical publications and ‘British Shipbuilding Database’, which is a database of 80,000 British-built ships of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Newcastle University has made a significant fcontribution to this industrial heritage, while its School of Marine Science and Technology is renowned throughout the world. For over a century, it has played a leading role in the teaching and research of the marine technologies including naval architecture, shipbuilding, and marine engineering. 

MTSC is managed by the School of Marine Science and Technology. Visit MTSC’s website to find out more details.

Collection Name and Collection Reference Code:

Collection Name: Marine Technology Special Collection

Archive reference code: GB 3369/MTSC

Date Range of Material

Mid 19th century - 2000

Type of Material

Rare book collection, technical publications and a database.

Size of Collection

318 Linear Metres of shelving 

How To Order Items From This Collection

Location

The Marine Technology Special Collection is managed by the School of Marine Science and Technology and is housed in the Armstong Building on Newcastle University’s central campus, NE1 7RU. The documents are available for consultation in the Marine Technology Special Collection, Armstrong Building and are not available for loan.

Contact

Material can be requested for in advance by contacting The Marine Technology Special Collection by email: marine.archive@newcastle.ac.uk, replies may take several days or longer. Phone: +44 (0)191 208 3522 but this number is rarely staffed and you are unlikely to get an answer.

Please contact us well in advance to check that The Collection will be open on the date and time of your proposed visit.

Opening hours

From June 2021 onwards The Collection can only accept visits by appointment and are unable to offer regular hours any more.

All visits are by prior appointment only and require personal proof of identity.

Finding Aid 

The Collection is only partially catalogued. Visit the MTSC’s website for details of all the subjects and holdings in the collection.

Unable to visit our Reading Room?

If you are unable to visit the Marine Technology Special Collection, please download their Guidance for Visitors to find out more about their handling, copying, photographing of materials, copyright and Copying Declaration for Visitors form. 

Other resources

MTSC expert staff offer a free advice service for simple short enquiries. Contact marine.archive@newcastle.ac.uk for further details.