The Tindalls of Scarborough

Scarborough has a thriving shipbuilding industry spanning many decades.

One of the family names linked with the trade is Tindall.

Several generations of the family were involved in shipbuilding, finishing in 1862 when the Tindall shipyard was closed.

Tindall Street, leading off Victoria Road, is named after them.

The busiest time was between the years of 1771 to 1800, during which 100 vessels were built.

The shipyards had various locations close to the harbour, including in front of King Richard III House.

The family also had 13 properties in Scarborough during the early nineteenth century.

These included Richard III House, 75 Longwestgate and Paradise House.

The Tindall family flag was a white diamond with a background of scarlet on the top half, and blue on the lower half.

The last vessel to be constructed was the Snowdrop, which records indicate was launched in a blizzard.

Some of Tindall vessels took convicts to Australia.

Also some of their vessels were involved in the American War of Independence.

The average lifespan of a Tindall-built vessel was 30 years, and the pioneering family also began to use iron and wood in their shipbuilding.

One of their famous apprenticed was Sir Edward Harland, of Harland and Wolff fame.

You can read more about Scarborough’s shipbuilding past here.