History North Shields

1 history

1.1 landmarks

1.1.1 lights of north shields
1.1.2 fish quay
1.1.3 clifford s fort
1.1.4 wooden dolly
1.1.5 gallery


1.2 industry

1.2.1 shipyards
1.2.2 oil terminal


1.3 culture

1.3.1 ymca


1.4 regeneration

history

north shields 1828 (by robert salmon). left-right: shipping on tyne, new low light, old low light, clifford s fort.

north shields first recorded in 1225, when prior of tynemouth, germanus, decided create fishing port provide fish priory situated on headland @ mouth of river tyne. supplied ships anchored near priory. number of rudimentary houses or shiels erected @ mouth of pow burn stream enters tyne, wooden quays used unload fishing boats. quays used ship coal local collieries owned priory. population of new township numbered 1000. burgesses of newcastle upon tyne determined preserve custom rights had enjoyed till then, covered whole length of river. petitioned king in 1290 , managed suspend trade new settlement. forbidden victual ships or load , unload cargoes @ north shields. opposition of newcastle burgesses remained considerable time despite this, north shields continued develop centre fishing , exporting salt, produced @ local saltpans. considerable period newcastle burgesses, known hostmen, controlled export of coal tyne, resisted export of commodity north shields.

new quay, part of riverside development built duke of northumberland in 1806.

the town restricted narrow strip of land alongside river (around present-day clive street) because of steep bank hemmed in. town became overcrowded , in 18th century buildings began erected on plateau 60 feet (20 m) above old, overcrowded, insanitary dwellings alongside river. prosperous businessmen , shipowners occupied new town whereas working people remained in lower part of town. low, riverside part of town linked newer, higher part of town series of stairs. these stairs populated slum dwellings. although these dwellings have long since been cleared away, sets of stairs still exist. 1 of first developments of new town dockwray square, built in 1763: set of elegant town houses became populated wealthy families. however, due poor provision of water , drainage facilities, wealthy families moved more central part of new town, new northumberland square. dockwray square deteriorated slums. in twentieth century stan laurel lived @ house in dockwray square few years, before became famous. square has since been re-developed , statue of laurel stands in middle commemorate stay there.

landmarks
lights of north shields


high , low lights, new , old

because of difficulty of navigating ships mouth of river past dangerous black midden rocks, buildings erected in 16th century permanent lights burning used guide mariners. high , low lights pictured on 1655 map of river tyne: pair of square castellated towers. both lights rebuilt in 1727, , these buildings still stand today (albeit old low light remodelled in 1830 serve almshouse). in 1810, old lights replaced new high , low lights, placed respectively @ top , bottom of steep bank alongside river. these lights owned , operated trinity house of newcastle-upon-tyne until ceased operation. today, old high beacon, high , low lights, private residences; remain prominent landmarks. in 2014 black-painted old low light opened public following substantial refurbishment; contains café, shop, museum, viewing platform , event space.

fish quay

in 1806, market place opened on new quay. in 1870, work began on constructing fish quay provide shelter docked fishing boats. quay still in use today.

clifford s fort

clifford s fort, located on fish quay, built in 17th century coastal defence against dutch. fort played role during napoleonic wars. site of fort used build new fish processing facilities , little remains of original fort. area undergoing restoration. part of foundations of 18th century master gunner’s house (demolished in 1973) found below concrete floor of fish processing unit. elsewhere on site, part of stone edging of cable tanks belonging submarine mining depot (established @ fort in 1888) uncovered.

wooden dolly

one of north shields oldest landmarks wooden dolly statue. in 1814, female figurehead of collier brig placed @ entrance custom house quay, on liddell street, , stood there until 1850, when vandalised. second figurehead placed on same spot. wooden dolly , figurehead known, used seafarers source of good-luck charms, cutting pieces of wood taken them on voyages. figurehead defaced beyond repair , after 14 years replaced wooden dolly no. 3. remained until 1901 when replaced wooden dolly no. 4 in shape of fishwife. fifth wooden dolly, fishwife, placed in northumberland square in 1958 , still remains there. in 1992, sixth wooden dolly, placed first 4 had been, @ entrance custom house quay, , can still seen there, next prince of wales public house.

gallery












































industry

in 1887, town s businesses listed marine engine, chain cable , anchor manufacturer, shipbuilding yards, roperies, salt-works, , earthenware , stained glass manufacturer. fishing major employer. smiths dock company major employer many years, closing in 1987.

shipyards

shipyards have been in existence in north shields since near founding. smaller yards built northumbrian coble, small inshore fishing vessel lug sail, known in north east. larger yards built wooden sailing collier brigs, used transport local coal london. these small yards replaced larger yards such tyne dock , engineering company , smith s dock company. these yards produced iron vessels various uses, including fishing , coal trade. in later years north shields yards used ship repair work, smith s dock surviving until 1990s. none of these yards remain.

oil terminal

esso formerly had oil terminal on banks of tyne in howdon area of town. in april 1994, bomb planted ira exploded tearing 3-foot square hole in 1 of tanks. second device, did not detonate, later found nearby. 600 gallons of crude oil leaked tank, caught in channel designed prevent leakages. second explosion occurred in june 1994, perpetrated same bombers.

culture
ymca

ymca north tyneside founded in 1870 , known borough of tynemouth ymca. after inaugural meeting on 7 june 1879 weekly meetings followed in sons of temperance hall, norfolk street, north shields. ymca grew in popularity. within year larger premises needed. meetings moved 53 tyne street, north shields , in 1879 camden street, north shields. in 1920 ymca moved building in bedford street (which still owned ymca , occupied citizens advice bureau) remained until 1938 when moved present building , current registered office @ church way, north shields.

regeneration

royal quays retail park, outlet shopping centre located @ north shields

following meadow riots, in july 1992 government granted £37.5 million on 5 years regenerate area of town, part of city challenge scheme.

an extensive regeneration programme costing £16 million saw revitalisation of redundant albert edward docks. wet n wild indoor water park, outlet shopping centre, bowling alley, soccer dome , marina form centrepiece royal quays development west of town. similarly, major regeneration of fish quay south-east of town centre has included construction of luxury apartments , conversion of existing buildings restaurants , bars. mark di suvero s tyne anew (1999), large-scale public artwork in uk, can seen @ albert edward dock.

the site of former smith s docks acquired developer places people in 2007. in january 2015 sought planning permission construction of homes on site.