Coal has played an important part in the town's prosperity, and has been mined since the time of the monks at Tynemouth Priory. Originally the coal was mined for use in the evaporation process, during the making of salt, and then as an export commodity in its own right. History records that the first ever coal to be sent by sea was loaded at North Shields. During the 19th century coal was mined in North Shields at the Preston Colliery. The pit closed in 1929, but at its peak employed 1400 men and boys.
Not only was the coal loaded, but wood needed for the pit props, was imported from the Baltic and unloaded at the Albert Edward Dock. This timber was used throughout the coalfields of Northumberland.
