The River Tyne (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ...permanent improvement. STATE OF THE RIVER IN 1860. Things at their worst must commonly mend. The Tyne may be taken in 1860, and perhaps 1861, just immediately preceding its improvement, as at its very lowest point of decadence as a navigable river. It might not at that time-be absolutely in a worse state than it had occasionally reached previously; but, relatively to the trade carried on, and to its position as regards neighbouring rivers, it was at its very worst. Vessels of moderate size and draught were detained for weeks after loading, unable to get to sea at the top of high water; other vessels were thumping and grounding on the bar in vain attempts to get to sea; and a state of things existed seriously detrimental, and which, if continued, would have been most disastrous--indeed, ruinous--to the trade and reputation of the port. In May, 1860, three large American vessels all grounded together on the bar, while three vessels of the same size had gone safely into Sunderland. The larger vessels were rapidly deserting the Tyne for Sunderland. The authorities of that port were advertising that the depth of water at the south outlet of Sunderland Dock was several feet deeper than the depth at any other port on the north-east coast. Vessels of over 12 feet could only get up to Newcastle at high spring tides. Serious expenses were incurred by the merchants of Newcastle in lightening vessels at Shields, in order to enable them to proceed up the river. "On the 8th June, 1861," a writer says, "there lay aground in the channel at Newcastle, off the 60 ton crane, a valuable schooner (the 'Edward Beck') about 100 tons register, and within a few yards of her the steam-tug 'Sceptre, ' the latter doing all that steam could aid her to...