A highly complex network of railway lines branching from the North Eastern Railway Blyth and Tyne system at Northumberland Dock. The graphic record of this feature is a simplification of what appears on the OS 2nd edition 6" mapping. The line ran to the staiths in the Albert Edward Dock (SMR 2147) and its associated sidings etc. A branch from this line to the south was SMR 2201. Built between 1872 and 1919 this system eventually comprised over 90 track miles in an area of 620 acres. The area was reshaped to allow gravity working, i.e. without locomotives. Passenger services began to the dock in 1891. In the period 1920-45 up to 15 locomotives were working here at any one time.

Brick Field. No further details are known.

Saw Mill. No further details are known.

Limekiln Shore, possible site of riverside limekilns (see also SMR 2130). The site was previously that of the floating dock (SMR 2071), which was presumably out of use and filled in some time after 1858.

Gun, probably in a gun emplacement, on top of a ballast hill (SMR 2075).

These gas works occupied part of the site of a Ropery (SMR 2017). The site is not shown on 1st edition OS mapping so built after 1858.

The site is first shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping so built after 1858. This occupied sites formerly of Ramsey's Foundry, Harrisons Foundry and an unnamed dock (SMRs 2069, 2072, 2081) {1}. A graving dock, (Collingwood’s Dock, SMR No. 2081)) and possibly an associated ship repair yard had been in existence at the Bull Ring from the 1750s. From 1815, the dock and the Limekiln Shore to the south were tenanted by T&W Smith. A ballast hill was established soon after this by the Smith’s on the Limekiln Shore. In 1849, the Smith’s bought the Limekiln Shore and developed it as a shipyard but had previously given up any tenurial link with the dry dock at the Bull Ring.
In 1883, due to lack of space at their yard in South Shields, Edwards and Sons, shipbuilders, expanded their business to the North Shields bank of the Tyne, purchasing Collingwood’s dry dock at the Bull Ring. The yard was speedily upgraded, involving the formation of a new river frontage and the construction of two new docks which replaced the old dock. The first of these new docks was completed in 1885, the second in 1889. The yard then dealt entirely with repair work, concentrating on the new ‘oil tanker’ vessels.
In 1893, J and G Edwards acquired Hepples yard (previously Fawcus’s yard), which lay to the south of Edwards and Sons (and to the north of Smith’s Limekiln Shore yard). This continued in use as a shipbuilding yard. The two Edwards’ yards and Smith’s yard were amalgamated into one company in 1899 (Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd.), when it became the biggest ship repairing concern in the world. All ship construction at the J&G Edwards component of the yard ceased in 1899. Another graving dock was opened at the Bull Ring Yard in 1910, and one of the two early Edwards’ docks was extended. Over the 1920s, the yard was continuously upgraded and by the end of the decade had four functioning graving docks.
Subsequent to WW2, Baird Bros, a small yard sitting against the northern edge of the Bull Ring Yard was acquired by Smith’s Dock Company, which added another small graving dock to the yard. The Bull Ring was formerly a curving street (probably medieval), which from the 1920s formed the northern edge of the Smith's Dock Yard. The Bull Ring was named after the bull baiting which took place on the site well into the 18th century {5}.
Map Evidence
First Edition Ordnance Survey Six Inches to One Mile 1865 Northumberland 89
One graving dock present at the centre of a yard, surrounded by other business concerns (Ramsey’s Foundry, Engine Manufactory, Harrison’s Foundry).
Second Edition Ordnance Survey Six Inches to One Mile 1899 Northumberland 89
Yard now annotated as ‘Shipbuilding Yard’. Original dock has been replaced by two new docks with a central spine of buildings between them. Slipways lie to the south of the docks.
Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inches to One Mile
Three graving docks present on Bull Ring, slipways removed for construction of the third dock {2}.

Limekiln Shore, the location of a possible limekiln on the riverside.

Brewery, on the site previously occupied by Pow & Fawcus's foundry (HER 2067). Shown on OS second edition mapping. The Brewery Bond warehouse, built in 1871, was converted into flats in 2000 with the addition of a contemporary contrasting glass and steel frame extension. The interior of the warehouse retains cast iron columns, large timber beams and timber joist floors {1}.

The High Lighthouse, with the Low Light (HER 2057) was a guide light for vessels entering the mouth of the Tyne. Built to replace the earlier High Light (HER 4556) which was rendered useless by changes in the river channel, the High Light was completed in 1807 and first lit in 1810. {2} Lighthouse, dated 1808 on north elevation and on rainwater head, and house 1860. Lighthouse by John Stokoe for Trinity House, Newcastle upon Tyne. Painted ashlar and brick, iron balustrade and lead roof. House has Welsh slate roof. Lighthouse 4 storeys and lantern stage. Ground floor projection has blocked Venetian window. Blocked windows with classical treatment on first and second floors. Round-arched top window under pediment. Cornice and iron balustrade with urn cover finials. House is of two storeys. Bricked-up overlight to hardboard-covered door at left; wedge stone lintels and stone sills. Plaque above door commemorating rebuilding in 1860, bears arms of Trinity House, Newcastle.