Grange Road, Statue to Sir Charles Mark Palmer

1903 by Albert Toft. Bronze figure on Portland stone pedestal with low relief bronze panels. Square pedestal with panels (on north face, inscription; east, SS John Bowes; south, a coal miner; west, HMS Resolution), a free-standing Ionic column at each corner supporting the frieze and overhanging cornice. Re-sited from Clayton Street in the town centre.
Historic note: Palmer (1822-1907) founded the shipbuilding firm which caused Jarrow to develop from a village to a town. The SS John Bowes, launched 1852, was the first screw-driven collier and revolutionised the Tyne-London coal trade by making the return trip in 5 days. One of Tyneside's leading industrialists, instrumental in the expansion of the railways and shipbuilding. In 1852 Palmer's yard built the John Bowes, the first economically viable screw driven steam collier. The yard closed in 1932. The statue was erected in 1903 and stands aloft a square pedestal with panels illustrating the SS. John Bowes, a coal miner and HMS Revolution.
The statue was erected in the grounds of Palmer's Hospital shortly before his death in 1907. In his early life Palmer was associated with John Bowes, was instrumental in the amalgamation of collieries into a mining empire and in the completion of the Bowes Railway. His shipyard grew to include an engine works, rolling mill and blast furnaces, covering almost 100 acres. He became MP for North Durham in 1874 and later served as an MP and Mayor for Jarrow. He built a hospital for his employees in 1870. The bronze figure stands on a pedestal of Portland Stone with low relief bronze panels. The monument was erected by workmen and friends and unveiled in 1904 on the east side of the Memorial Hospital grounds. In 1982 the statue was moved to Riverside Park, and by 1990 the bronze plaques had been stolen/removed. The statue was recorded in 2006 ahead of its dismantling, refurbishing and relocation as part of works for TT2. LISTED GRADE 2