High & Low Lights - North Shields

Viewed from the south bank of the River Tyne
showing New High & Low Lights with Old High Light in the middle.

The entrance to the River Tyne before the piers were built was dangerous and
at low tide it was almost possible to walk across the entrance bar.

On the north side there were the Black Middens, a rock platform concealed at high water, and on the south
side was the Herd Sand. Sailing vessels were often driven by storms onto the shores at the river entrance.

In the early 16th Century the Master and Brethren of Trinity House erected lights at Shields.  
The first light recorded was at the eastern end of the plateau of the fish quay level.  

Then later in the year 1727 the first set of guiding lights were erected, the Old High Beacon ( center white tower) was built high up on the bank with a Low Light down on the Fish Quay - now obscured by buildings.

The Old High Light has been restored and is now a private house- the beacon was located on the top.

Due to changes in the entrance channel new Leading Lights ( Left & Right white towers)
were required - these were constructed in 1808 and first lit in 1810.

The Low Light at the eastern end of Low Street operated in conjunction with the High Light
to guide vessels into the safe entrance channel of the River Tyne.   

Vessels entering the River Tyne lined up the two Lights by night or the towers by day
to indicate the safe channel into the river between the Black Middens & The Herd Sand.

Low Light - View from Hadrian's Cycleway - Union Quay - North Shields