About the film archive
Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
From the laying of the keel through to the riveting of steel plates - teams of men work together to build and launch a steel ship.
The Building of a Ship
'Britain's shipbuilders build ships for service all over the world. No two ships are alike, each has its own 'character'. In the film a keel is laid, and from a tangle of steel plates and girders the hull takes shape. After weeks of skilled and patient work, the ship is launched and 'steel goes to sea'.'
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1942-43)
All films are subject to the Creative Commons licence guidelines.
Learn more about how to use to the film archive.
Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
Keep up to date with the latest film news from the British Council.