EARLY DAYS AT TEES DOCK.

[teesships]

George,

Yes, for years we could all tramp around any of the ports in the UK, even the busiest (Mersey and Hull for example) and hardly anyone took any notice of you. In going round Tyne-Tees/Dent's with steel, etc., whizzing overhead regardless, I was only ever once asked what was I doing, in a friendly way. Once I explained, no further bother.

Anyway, on the previous matter of "walking" the Tyne, I have now clicked memory into gear and referred to my actual notebook!
14 February 1961: Train to Newcastle with a friend. Newcastle Quay/River - 13 ships; Wallsend - 10 ships, plus 7 tugs. So, OK, that seems to have been as far as we "walked" that first visit (I vaguely recall a bus involved as well!).
26 May 1961: Train to Newcastle, spotting two ships in River Wear on the way. Only 7 ships recorded as being on Newcastle Quay as far as Spillers (where a quayside photo was taken), but then seem to have gone back to join the river trip from Newcastle. After then noting a further 56 ships it seems we must have taken the trip just one way as I still retain a memory of spotting the JIM M in the river by looking down from the hilly streets of North Shields! So, must have been back to Newcastle station by bus.
23 August 1961: Train to Sunderland and walked round docks there noting 14 ships. Then on, it seems, to South Shields to join a river trip there - got off again 99 ship sightings later!
So, sorry for faulty memory, but I never did "walk" the Tyne ... but I did do the Mersey and Hull!

Ron