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.

According to Cramp to the east of the monastic buildings was an industrial area of the medieval monastery and one lead and one iron working pit were found.

In 1490 in the Inventories and Account Rolls of the Benedictine Houses or Cells of Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, mention is made of repairs to a saw mill.

Shown on the O.S. as The Hat and Feather Vaults. Public House. C1901. Ashlar with grey granite plinth, red granite dressings, roof of plain tiles with terracotta ridge finials and copper domes. Baroque style. One high storey, 5 windows. High pediment over 3 central bays and domes over end entrance bays. Keyed architraves to round - headed central panelled door and flanking windows with Diocletian overlights, tall keystones over outer doors, both now blocked and windows inserted, rising through impost string to segmental pediments above which are recessed lights with glazing bars. Ionic pilasters rise between openings and, with keystones of central arcade, support pilastered entablature with prominent cornice. Above this a steep pediment contains shallow pilasters flanking a small open - pedimented dormer window with block rusticated finials. Ramped parapet over outer bays behind which ogee domes have tall spike and ball finials, cross plan roof behind pediment has pedimented lantern over junction of ridges, and mace finial at ends of main ridge.