« Reply #17 on: Monday 19 September 11 19:49 BST (UK) »
Spot on Michael. That was the staith the Netherton Colliery used for exporting coal from the area. That is a unique subject on its own though. The colliery had a special vessel built named the 'Bedlington' which went into service circa 1842. It could carry 40 chaldrons of coal, about 95 tons. It collected the chaldrons from that staith and took them down to the Tyne where using it's own steam powered derricks the 'Bedlington' hoisted the chaldrons aloft and tipped the coal into waiting ships. It ran backwards and forwards from the Blyth to the Tyne until 1851 when it was sold to a Scottish ferry company that operated ferries across the Firth of Forth. It's service there as a ferry was short lived as it was then acquired as a transport vessel for the Crimean War effort. The vessel was lost during storms in the Baltic in November 1854. The Navy lost many vessels that night in the Black Sea too. I'd love to know where the vessel lies. In the frigid waters of the Baltic I imagine she is in a fine state of preservation. I'd love to see and image of her or even a plan of the mighty little ship. She was unique and most certainly a 'first'! I wonder if Newcastle or Woodhorn have any archive material relating to the little ship?
There are also some remnants of Netherton Staiths higher up the river which were used prior to the 'new' staith at the mouth of the Sleek Burn. They can be seen form the A189 river bridge over the River Blyth. In my youth a tug boat was moored there, I believe for renovation as a live aboard. I have heard that the tug was eventually scrapped! Amazing that some of the staith timbers are still visible all these years later, though in a decrepit state.
Philip
Northumberland; Johnson, Johnston, Dodds, Rutherford, Gray, Kennedy, Wilson, Sanderson, Davidson and other Border Marauders as they are discovered on this journey.
Berkshire; Knight, Bristor, Sharpe, Sharp, Ashley.
Suffolk / Essex; Perce, Pearce, Pearse, Pierce, Hayes.
Midlands; Hodgetts, Parker, Easthope.