Maryport 3 Maryport3 - Side launches 20 June 2009 They used to build ships in Maryport, but the sites alongside the River Ellen were not suited to traditional methods of getting ships in the water, so the ‘side launch’ was adopted. This sequence of images shows John Ritson’s first iron ship <i>Ellenbank</i> being launched broadside at high tide in 1885. Note the way the river bank is washed away by the wave... Below a contemporary side launch...