A well-known and popular local character, Cruikshanks was a ferryman for 43 years. On his retirement, he set up as a picture frame gilder working at his house in Thomas Street, South Shields. Cruikshanks is remembered particularly for befriending ‘Wandering Willie, a much-loved ferry dog. Willie was a sheep-dog who lost his master when they were moving lambs from the Cheviots to the Cleveland Hills. For months he lingered by the ferry, ‘setting his teeth against the kindest efforts to win him from despair’. Willie never gave up looking for his owner, but eventually came to accept the kindness of the ferryman, who fed and looked after him for the rest of his life.

Ralph Hedley was a popular and influential artist, woodcarver and illustrator who often depicted scenes of everyday life on Tyneside. For a time he was Vice-President of the South Shields Art

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Ralph Hedley (style of) (1848-1913)
Date: circa 1903

Image Details
Date: 9 September 2023
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/17s
ISO: 800
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.