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Sunderland Leasing

Did You Know?

Sunderland's shipbuilding industry lasted over six centuries, during which it had over 400 registered shipyards and became the largest shipbuilding town in the world.

Over the centuries, Sunderland grew as a port, trading coal and salt and was once famously hailed as the "Largest Shipbuilding Town in the World". Ships were built on the Wear from at least 1346 onwards and by the mid-eighteenth century Sunderland was one of the chief shipbuilding towns in the country.

Sunderland-born Charles Whilems was a glassblower on his way to start a new life in the United States. He boarded the Titanic in Southampton on 10 April 1912 as a second class passenger and was one of the few survivors after it sank. It's said he returned to England following his ordeal and he continued to work as a glassblower.

First opened in 1907 on High Street West, Sunderland Empire is one of the largest theatres between Manchester and Edinburgh. It's infamous for playing host to the final performance of British comic actor Sid James who died of a heart attack whilst on stage on April 26, 1976.

Swedish star Stefan Schwarz, who signed for Sunderland in 1999, signed a contract that included a bizarre clause, dubbed the 'Space Clause', banning him from space travel.  Schwarz had a keen interest in space travel and it was reported one of his advisors had secured tickets for the first passenger space flight. However, Sunderland's contract clause prevented him from going into space, warning that a breach would result in the immediate termination of his contract. 

Jack Crawford, a sailor from Sunderland was on Admiral Duncan's ship at the Battle of Campdeown. During the battle, part of the mast was damaged and the Admiral's flag was lowered. Crawford climbed the mast and nailed the colours back to the mast. He was presented to the king and given a state pension of £30 a year.

Sunderland Shorts Film Festival was established in 2014 and was inspired by the city's partnership with Washington DC. The event has attracted film-makers from around the world and was developed in collaboration with DC Shorts, which is a respected film festival is the US. 

Children’s classics author Lewis Carroll may have been born in the North West, but he spent a lot of his childhood in Sunderland, visiting his sisters Elizabeth and Mary who lived in Southwick, on the North side of the city.