Coal Staithes at Blyth Power Station, Wansbeck, Northumberland
The building of these wooden coal staithes began in 1910 but was not finished until c1923. They were built for the North Eastern Railway Company. They are the only remaining example of coastal coal staithes in the North of England. Staithes allowed pit owners to transport their coal directly into the holds of ships without having to use smaller vessels, or 'keels', as had previously been the case. The use of staithes produced strikes by keelmen who lost their jobs.
