A full-size replica of one of the world's most famous passenger liners may be built on Tyneside - out of bricks!
A full-size replica of one of the world’s most famous passenger liners may be built on Tyneside – out of bricks! Jaap Kroese, owner of the former Swan Hunter shipyard, wants to create a 230m long replica of the four-funnelled liner Mauretania to be used as a museum, offices and restaurant.
Mr Kroese says he got the idea after seeing a small ship-shaped building on a river bank in his native Netherlands. The real Mauretania, which weighed nearly 32,000 tonnes, was built on Tyneside in 1906 and held the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic for over 20 years.
North Tyneside Council says it is not keen on Mr Kroese’s idea, however, and hopes an offshore oil-related use can be found for the shipyard site.
