English: View of a V class destroyer built by the Hebburn shipyard of Hawthorn Leslie. It’s unclear whether the vessel is HMS Verdun, HMS Versatile or HMS Verulam (TWAM ref. DS.HL/2/100/3).

After the First World War HMS Verdun was given the honour of bringing the body of the Unknown Warrior back to Britain. That event is remembered in a recent blog by Tyne & Wear Archives http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/engage/blog/first-world-war-stories-bringing-the-unknown-warrior-home/.
The shipyard of R. & W. Hawthorn Leslie at Hebburn built many fine warships. During the First World War the firm built 2 light cruisers, 3 destroyer leaders and 25 torpedo boat destroyers. The firm also built machinery and boilers for 2 battleships, and a further 3 light cruisers. These and other warships built by Hawthorn Leslie before the War, are remembered in this set.
There are remarkable images of warships under construction at Hebburn, as well as fascinating shots of the people who attended the launches. The set also contains majestic views of the ships at sea. The images are not only a testimony to the skill of those who designed and built these ships but also to the courage of those who sailed in them.

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