Shipbuilding had been happening on the River Tees well before the 1800s. Indeed the first recorded ship was built in 1189 for the Crusades. The Port towns of Worsall, Yarm and Stockton had all more than dabbled in Shipbuilding. Small firms and individuals could build small vessels and keels, if they had the timber and the labour. There was always demand for Ships in Stockton as it became more and more established as a trading port. The first site for an established shipyard in Stockton was started by a shipwright called John Headlam in 1726. This was situated on the riverbank near the present site of the Castlegate Marine Club. In 1888 the land was purchased by Robert Ropner and ships continued to be produced up until 1931. Ships were originally built from wood, and powered by sail.