Derwenthaugh staiths
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 6:26 pmSituated a short distance downstream from the old Scotswood Chain Bridge (demolished in 1967) Derwenthaugh staiths were about a dozen miles upriver from the mouth of the Tyne entrance, they marked the upper limit on the river reached by ships of the collier fleets.
Staiths were established here in the early eighteenth century at a point where the River Derwent flowed into the Tyne, coal would arrive on wagonways from several local pits. In the twentieth century coal was brought to the staiths from mines further away in north west Durham along rail lines laid along the Derwent valley. From 1929 significant quantities of coke were shipped from the staiths when a large new coke works were established not far away near Winlaton Mill. The original staiths on the site were rebuilt in 1899 and these were enlarged in 1913 to cope with an ever increasing demand for coal.
In 1951 a major fire at the staiths saw them closed for two years, during their reconstruction concrete was used instead of wood. In 1955 a remaining wooden section of the staiths was cut down as it was no longer used. The wisp of steam evident in this view is a reminder that steam locomotives held sway at Derwenthaugh until their closure in March 1960, soon after this picture was taken.
A section of the staiths exsist today as part of a marina accessible to the public.
As recorded elsewhere on NEM Lea Grange was built at Sunderland in 1939 at S.P.Austin's yard, she was demolished by Turkish shipbreakers in 1973
Staiths were established here in the early eighteenth century at a point where the River Derwent flowed into the Tyne, coal would arrive on wagonways from several local pits. In the twentieth century coal was brought to the staiths from mines further away in north west Durham along rail lines laid along the Derwent valley. From 1929 significant quantities of coke were shipped from the staiths when a large new coke works were established not far away near Winlaton Mill. The original staiths on the site were rebuilt in 1899 and these were enlarged in 1913 to cope with an ever increasing demand for coal.
In 1951 a major fire at the staiths saw them closed for two years, during their reconstruction concrete was used instead of wood. In 1955 a remaining wooden section of the staiths was cut down as it was no longer used. The wisp of steam evident in this view is a reminder that steam locomotives held sway at Derwenthaugh until their closure in March 1960, soon after this picture was taken.
A section of the staiths exsist today as part of a marina accessible to the public.
As recorded elsewhere on NEM Lea Grange was built at Sunderland in 1939 at S.P.Austin's yard, she was demolished by Turkish shipbreakers in 1973