Phelan Haulage – Trusted. Skilled. Local.
Phelan Haulage is proud to have played a part in delivering a powerful new chapter in Sunderland’s public art story, transporting two large-scale corten steel sculptures by renowned sculptor Ray Lonsdale to their final home on St Peter’s Riverside.
The pieces, titled It Says Here and Launch Day, were carefully moved from Lonsdale’s South Hetton workshop using one of Phelan’s specialist HIAB crane vehicles. At 2.7 metres tall and crafted entirely from weathering steel, the sculptures required precision handling and expert planning to ensure their safe arrival at the riverside site, something Phelan Haulage is well-equipped to provide.
The first sculpture, It Says Here, poignantly portrays two shipyard workers sharing their lunch break, reading news of the yard closures in the Sunderland Echo. The piece captures a key moment in the city’s industrial history and speaks to the emotions of a community witnessing the decline of its once-thriving shipbuilding industry.
Launch Day, set decades later, offers a tender contrast. It shows one of the same workers, now a grandfather, passing down memories of the shipyards to his granddaughter. Together, the two sculptures form a powerful tribute to the city’s heritage and the generations shaped by the shipbuilding trade.
Transporting the sculptures
Moving the sculptures required meticulous coordination and the skilled use of Phelan Haulage’s HIAB crane system. Each piece was carefully lifted from Ray Lonsdale’s South Hetton workshop using the crane, ensuring full stability and protection during the operation. Once securely hoisted, the sculptures were gently lowered onto the HIAB flatbed truck, where they were fastened for transport.
On arrival at St Peter’s Riverside, the process was reversed with the same precision, the crane expertly lifting each sculpture from the vehicle and setting it into its final position with pinpoint accuracy. The entire operation showcased the capability and care Phelan Haulage brings to transporting valuable and sensitive loads. We’re honoured to have helped bring Ray Lonsdale’s vision to life and to have played a small part in sharing Sunderland’s story with generations to come.
With years of experience in transporting heavy, delicate, and high-value loads, our team took every precaution to ensure the sculptures arrived exactly as intended: intact, on time, and ready to inspire.
