English tug lost in wind conditions following a collision with the French steamship Actif, 1903. Built: 1865
Propulsion: Screw driven, 2 cylinder compound engine
Boilers: 1
Master: B Bootiman
Crew: 4
Owner: R Readhead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1872 wreck of English craft which was "wrecked off South Shields" with the loss of all hands, suggesting a place of loss on or near the Herd Sand. Since no further details are given, it is unknown whether she was a steam or sailing vessel.

German Brigantine stranded and lost on the coast north of Seaham in windy conditions, 1898. The NMR entry is listed uner South Tyneside, although Rhyope is part of Sunderland. Owner: C. C. H. Bosch, Bremerhaven
Built: 1863
Crew: 8
Master: C. O. Wachter

1787 wreck of English brig which foundered off South Shields following a leak while taking in her cargo of coal; a wooden sailing vessel. `Newcastle, March 31, 1787...Thursday the brig ELIZABETH of Scarborough, taking in coals at South Shields, suddenly sunk in deep water; no apparent reason can be given for this accident, but it is conjectured a rat hole has been the cause; the people on board were all saved.' (Newcastle Courant)

1864 wreck of English brig which stranded off the South Pier, Tynemouth, in the aftermath of the storm which had wrecked the STANLEY (1364862), FRIENDSHIP (1364859) and ARDWELL (1364863) the day before. She was inbound to the Tyne, either as a light vessel, i.e. in ballast, or as a coal-laden vessel, putting back because of the storm. Constructed of wood in 1854, she was a sailing vessel. Built: 1854
Construction: part iron bolts
Master: Richard Wilson
Crew Lost: all, estimated as about 8
Owner: J Morgan

Now the Northumbrian Piper. Said to have been built in 1848 by Matthew Bell as a Dower House for the Woolsington Estate. Owned by the Bell family until June 1913. From 1929 to 1949 the house was occupied by Robin Rowell, then it was bought by Colonel Mould-Graham (once Lord Mayor of Newcastle) and finally sold to S & N Breweries in 1968. Opened as a pub in 1969. The Piper who played at the opening of the pub was Jack Armstrong (1904-1978), official piper to the duke of Northumberland. His only official duty was to play at the Shrove Tuesday football match. Jack Armstrong's picture was on the original pub sign that was painted by Joicey.

The White House was Fawdon Colliery agent's house. Built circa 1809. Attached to the west was a row of miner's cootages with gardens to the rear. The council demolished the houses around 1938.

The Royal Naval Air Service used this site as a coastal landing ground. The main role of the RNAS was fleet reconnaissance, patrolling the coast for enemy ships and submarines, attacking enemy coastal territory and defending Britain from enemy air raids. RNAS Whitley Bay was operational from late 1914. It had four Bristol TB.8s, later BE.2cs, a Bristol Scout C, two Cauldron G.111s and 3 Avro 504Cs. There were two wooden aeroplane sheds. The RNAS station ceased operating by July 1916. There were frequent reports of damage during forced landings, take-offs, crash landings and planes ditched in the sea. The station's only fatality was on 19th September 1915 when a BE.2c was lost in the North Sea and FSL DS Hay was killed. During WW2 aircraft obstructions (HER 12554) were dug on the site to prevent enemy aircraft from landing here.

This site was used as a landing ground for 36 (HD) Squadron and as a Marine Operations Station for 252 Squadron. It was in operation from December 1916 until June 1919. Four Bessonneau hangars were erected at the station.

Spanish City was opened by Charles Elderton on 6 March 1908. The temporary premises could hold 5000 people. Elderton had been holding a summer open air variety theatre on Rockcliffe Rugby Club's ground since 1904. The name Spanish City comes from the wooden and canvas awning which protected the audience from the wind and rain - it was painted to look like an old Spanish town. On 12 April 1909 the Figure-Eight Railway opened. Whitley Amusements Ltd commissioned Cackett & Burns Dick to construct pleasure buildings at the east side of the site. In May 1909 the zigzag Social Whirl opened. The ride was 30 feet high. It was soon moved to another position on the site without being dismantled. On 15 December 1909 Whitley Pleasure Gardens Ltd takes over from Whitley Amusements Ltd. In 1910 the Water Chute opened. In January 1910 plans were passed for the present buildings at Spanish City (the dome and theatre, HER 2216). The official opening was on 14 May 1910. During World War One the army occupied the buildings. The Hall was converted into a cinema some time between 1915 and 1920. After the War the theatre became the Empress Ballroom and the restaurant became a bar. The official re-opening was on 8 October 1920. The 1920s to 1950s were Whitley Bay's heyday as a seaside resort. In 1924 five shops were built adjoining Spanish City to the north. In 1927 the Virginia Reel replaced the Water Chute. In 1937 the Winter Gardens open. The army occupied the complex again during World War Two. After the War the ballroom was refurbished. In 1959 an advert described Spanish City as 'a Mecca of Pleasure and Gaiety, with a truly Pleasure Park and Carnival Atmosphere'. In 1961 the Empress Ballroom was converted into a bingo hall. In 1963 the Picture House in the Hall closed. In March 1964 the Hall re-opened as an annexe to the bingo hall in the ballroom. In June 1964 plans were approved for removing the cupola domes from the towers. In 1965 the Hall was converted into an amusement arcade by Mr H Swaddle. In 1974 the railway was dismantled. In 1975 Spanish City and the fairground were refurbished. In March 1984 Spanish City opened Horseman's Garage on Marine Gardens as an indoor market. On 19 February 1986 Spanish City (HER 2216) is listed grade 2. In June 1989 Whitegate Leisure acquired the complex. In 1989 the theatre was sold to Fairworld. In 1992 the rotunda's ground floor arcade was refurbished and Lazer Quest was installed in the first floor nightclub. In July 1996 plans were approved to install a BMX track. In May 2001 North Tyneside Council bought the site (apart from the theatre). The amusement arcade in the Hall and shops closed in 2002. In 2003 Marine Park School was built on the site of the fairground.