This is a collection of material brought together by, or relating to, local nineteenth century collectors John and Thomas Bell. There are four boxes relating to the local book trade, seven more relating to the Port of Tyne, and forty packets of cuttings, correspondence and other miscellaneous items which are useful for local history.

The Marine Technology Special Collection (MTSC), is a unique historical resource of marine technical documents, journals and published works from British shipbuilding, 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 records, an extensive collection of ship plans and related documents, marketing and information material from many global shipyards, marine engineering businesses and suppliers, and many other unique records relating to the shipbuilding, shipbreaking and related industries. In particular, the shipbreaking records, due to their extensive scope and scale, form a unique resource and record of the industry in the UK.

Newcastle University has made a significant contribution to this industrial heritage with its Marine Group in the School of Engineering (formerly the School of Marine Science and Technology) being 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.

The MTSC was formerly curated and managed by Visiting Professor Ian Buxton (awarded an MBE for services to the preservation of British maritime history), Dr Brian Newman, and several other colleagues and volunteers.

A downloadable Finding Aid attached to this record contains details of the published works and journals which form part of the collection.

Visit the Marine Group's website to find out more details. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/facilities/marine/