Proposed Staiths at the Low Lights

A Court of Inquiry was held on Tuesday last, in the Low Light House, at North Shields by Capt. Washington, in pursuance of directions from the Lords of the Admiralty, to take evidence as to the proposed erection of shipping places for coals at the Low Lights. The circumstances under which the inquiry was instituted were these. An application had been made to the Town Council of this Borough by the owners of the Hartley, Bedlington, and Blyth Coal-field, to erect a short pile dam or open dock on the Low Lights shore, for the purpose of shipping coals and general merchandize by a line of railways along the present Whitley line and by Hartley and Blyth to Bedlington and Netherton; the Council referred the matter to the River Committee, and certain objections were urged against the project by parties interested in preserving the navigation of the river; the Committee, in consequence, determined to refer the matter to the consideration of the Lords of the Admiralty, and the whole of the documents relating to the case were forwarded to their Lordships. The Lords of the Admiralty, with a view to investigate the matter fully, commissioned Capt. Washington to proceed to the locality in question, and receive the evidence of all parties interested, before coming to any determination on the subject, and it was in pursuance of that determination that this court was held. The large room was crowded with parties interested in the investigation, among whom were Mr. Armstrong, the Chairman of the River Committee, and Mr. Brooks, the Engineer to the Corporation; Mr Crighton, solicitor for the promoters of the scheme, Mr. Nicholson, the Engineer, who had prepared the plans, Mr. Carr, Mr Richmond, Mr Dryden, Mr. Barker, Mr. Leitch, Mr. Straker, the Master and many of the Brethren of the Trinity House, and a great number of pilots.

Capt. Washington having opened the business by stating the extent of his commission and the desire of the Admiralty to preserve the navigation of the river, while they afforded at the same time such increased facilities for the shipment of coals as might be required by the trade of port, called upon the promoters of the scheme to state their case in the first place, and support it by evidence, leaving the objectors to cross-examine the witnesses, and bring forward witnesses of their own should they think proper to do so.

Mr. Crighton stated,that he appeared for the promoters of the scheme, who were owners of a great part of the coalfield north of the Tyne, and their object was to form staiths for the shipment of coal at the Low Lights. He described the nature of the proposed erections, which were in accordance with a plan suggested by the Corporation Engineer, and consisted of an outer breast work, forming a quay wall next the river, with an opening at the western extremity for the admission of vessels to the staiths which it was proposed to construct along the sides of the enclosed space. It was proposed to include a portion of the shore of the river, but the part now used for the graving of ships, the unloading of vessels, and other public users, would be preserved to the public as formerly. To prevent the silting up of the enclosure it was proposed to accumulate the water in a reservoir at the eastern extremity of the enclosure, and let it off at certain periods, so as to scour the bottom and preserve it clear. He adverted to the importance of preserving the navigation of the river, and maintained that the proposed works, instead of doing injury, would greatly benefit the navigation by causing the tide to set upon and scour away the bank at present in the mid-channel. They would cause a great increase of revenue to the Corporation of Newcastle, and contribute most materially to advance the prosperity of the port. He read the various documents which had been introduced into the case, commencing with the original memorial of the promoters of the scheme to the Council, and going thought those which had been presented by opposing parties, so as to lay the entire case before the Commissioner. The objections were urged principally by the pilots, who alleged that the proposed works would interfere with the navigation; but, the project was supported by a memorial from twenty-two of the principal merchants and ship-owners of North Shields. After stating the case, Mr. Crighton called Mr. Davidson, one of the gentlemen who signed the petition to the Corporation in favour of the project, and on this occasion represented the land-owners, who were all consenting parties. He stated the number of acres of coal which it was intended to bring upon the line, upwards of 10,000, of which 8,489 acres was in Bedlingtonshire; the shipments at present in Blyth were attended with great loss and inconvenience and increased facilities for shipment were greatly required.

Several agents of landowners, colliery viewers, and influential inhabitants of North shields and some brethren of the Trinity House, were examined to show that the dam would improve the navigation of the river. That the plan to be adopted was similar to that of Mr. Rennie, and had been suggested solely by Mr. Brooks, the Corporation engineer. The opposition was principally made by Mr. Richmond, on the ground that the coal dust arising from the staiths would annoy the inhabitants at the Low Lights and Dockwray Square, and Mr Brook's plan was wrong in principle; and would hurt the navigation of the river, and the pilot and harbour masters were also opposed to Mr. Brook's plan, because it would bring too large a quantity of shipping to one place. Some steam-boat masters also stated, that, so far from blocking up the river the coals being to be shipped behind the piles, would leave more space in the bed of the river. It appeared in evidence that the River Committee had recommended the adoption of Mr. Brooks's plan, by the large majority of eleven to two. The evidence was of great length, and the discussion lasted nearly the whole day; at the close, Capt. Washington intimated that he would lay the statements of the various parties before the Lords of the Admiralty.

Extract from the Newcastle Journal 5th August 1848

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