Tuesday 7th October 2025: 7.30pm:  The Newcastle upon Tyne Trinity House.

Sir Thomas Slade was the English shipwright best known for designing HMS VICTORY. From humble beginnings as a shipwright in the Naval Dockyards, he rose to become Surveyor of the Navy and was responsible for seven major design changes during his tenure. No less than eight British ships at the Battle of Trafalgar had been built to his design.  It is said that ‘by common consent, Slade was the greatest British naval architect of the century…it was generally agreed (even by themselves) that his successors, though competent designers, never matched his genius.’

Society Member and Naval Architect David Byrne examines Slade’s important contribution to the Georgian Navy.

Free admission to Society members, £4 admission to visitors.  Light refreshments available.

Please note that, due to circumstances beyond the Society’s control, it has been necessary to adjust the last few events of this year’s programme.  The talk originally scheduled for this date (‘At 12, Mt Byng was shot’) has had to be postponed and tonight’s talk (Sir Thomas Slade), originally listed for December, has been moved forward in its place.