Summary
Pier and lighthouse, 1854-1895. James Walker and later John F Ure for the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. Resident engineer: PJ Messent, Contractor: Benjamin Lawton.
Reasons for Designation
South Pier, constructed between 1854 and 1895, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
History
By the mid C19 the rapid growth in trade and industry led to a growing need for improvements to the poorly maintained River Tyne. On 15 July 1850 the Tyne Improvement Act received Royal Assent and stewardship of the river passed to the newly created Tyne Improvement Commission. In 1854 the commissioners began a programme of development and improvement to the navigation of the river that continued into the C20; this included dredging and deepening the channel and constructing new infrastructure including docks, coal and shipping staithes and a pair of piers (North and South Piers) to protect the mouth of the River at Tynemouth and South Shields. The Tyne subsequently became one of the principal ports of the United Kingdom and enabled the development of the great shipbuilding and ship repairing industries for which the river is world famous. On 31 July 1968 the Tyne Improvement Commission was dissolved, and replaced with the Port of Tyne Authority.
Details
Pier and lighthouse, 1854-1895. James Walker and later John F Ure for the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. Resident engineer: PJ Messent, Contractor: Benjamin Lawton.
End of official list entry
