In 1756 John Burdon was allowed to build a wharf at Broad Landing, which can be approximately located from the information that two quays belonging to Fairlie, advertised in 1791, are described as being on either side of Burdon's Quay.

Evidence for the construction of quays and docks in the area to the north of the Mill Dam inlet begins in the C17. There is a court record in 1670 of a ballast quay separated from the water mill by a bridge and apparently on or near to the site of what became Cookson's Quay, just to the north of the Mill Dam inlet. In 1754 John Burdon was refused permission by Trinity House to build a ballast quay on the sands at the end of South Shields. Two years later Isaac Cookson, who was a freeman of Newcastle, secured a site for a quay, presumably Cookson's Quay as shown on Wood's map.

The Melsonsby Book of 1235 records an inn at Shields. It mentions that the brewers of the Shields have paid the Prior and Convent of Durham for bracinage, or the right to brew ale. In 1256 there were four breweries in the town. Richardson’s plan of 1768 shows a ‘Beerbrewers Well’ at this location on the south side of Mill Dam.

There is evidence for sea and river fishing at South Shields in the medieval period. There is an early C12 itinerary of all the fisheries belonging to the Bishop of Durham which includes St Hildeyere and Ebbeyere which belong to Westoe suggesting salmon yares. Dated C12th.

During the post medieval period the increase in shipping and trade led to the accumulation of a large amount of ballast which formed hills to the east of the town. They are shown on Fryer and Richardson's maps. Many ships coming to the Tyne to load coal entered the river 'light' or 'in ballast'. This means that no cargo was being carried. In the absence of cargo, the ballast gives the vessel stability. Ships returning from London coal voyages often carried shingle or chalk as ballast. Sand and other materials were also used. Over the centuries, great hills of ballast grew along both banks of the Tyne. There were substantial ballast hills near Bill Point Walker, Willington Quay, Hebburn, Jarrow and North and South Shields. Ships were charged fees to unload their ballast. By the early 1820s this was about 20p per ton. To avoid the fee some masters resorted to the dangerous act of discharging ballast before entering harbour. One estimate suggests that some 20% of all imported ballast ended up in the river, risking the Tyne silting up.

During the post medieval period the increase in shipping and trade led to the accumulation of a large amount of ballast which formed hills to the east of the town. They are shown on Fryer and Richardson's maps. Many ships coming to the Tyne to load coal entered the river 'light' or 'in ballast'. This means that no cargo was being carried. In the absence of cargo, the ballast gives the vessel stability. Ships returning from London coal voyages often carried shingle or chalk as ballast. Sand and other materials were also used. Over the centuries, great hills of ballast grew along both banks of the Tyne. There were substantial ballast hills near Bill Point Walker, Willington Quay, Hebburn, Jarrow and North and South Shields. Ships were charged fees to unload their ballast. By the early 1820s this was about 20p per ton. To avoid the fee some masters resorted to the dangerous act of discharging ballast before entering harbour. One estimate suggests that some 20% of all imported ballast ended up in the river, risking the Tyne silting up.

A survey of the manor of Monkwearmouth, part of the possession of Sir William Williamson was made by William Lewin in 1714 and copied by Robson in 1825. This map shows a ropewalk.

A survey of the manor of Monkwearmouth, part of the possession of Sir William Williamson was made by William Lewin in 1714 and copied by Robson in 1825. This map shows a quay and Sank Banks ballast hills.

A survey of the manor of Monkwearmouth, part of the possession of Sir William Williamson was made by William Lewin in 1714 and copied by Robson in 1825. This map shows a windmill to the north of St Peter's church.

The Hatfield survey of c.1381 records that Bishopwearmouth demesne land was rented by 16 separate tenants who had a common bakehouse.