July 2010
South Shields Customs House.
This building of 1863-64, by T.H. Clemence, architect (borough engineer) was originally the Customs House built just before South Shields was declared a separate customs port in 1865. The addition of 1878 was built to house the offices of the local Marine Board.
It consists of an open arcade on coupled rusticated piers with three large depressed arches. Above are three bays divided by coupled Corinthian half columns, in the centre supporting a big pediment (with coat of arms carved by T.W. Howe). It is built of white brick with stone dressings. The three-bay extension is by J.H. Morton, 1878. It was restored in 1984.
Grade 2 Listed. Source: Sitelines.
River Police & Tyne Port Sanitary Authority.
1886. The main north elevation is of ashlar, the other 3 are of buff coloured brick with stone dressings. Three storeys and 3 bays. Vermiculated quoins. Crowning entablature and blocking course.
The outer bays have bay windows through the 3 storeys, each of the 3 lights having an architrave. A continuous cill band at ground floor and a first floor plat band. The central bay is treated quite elaborately by a vertical accumulation of pediments.
The entrance, with semi-circular fanlight has a deeply projecting segmental pediment supported on deep scrolled brackets. The first floor is framed by architrave, entablature and triangular pediment. The frieze is inscribed AD 1886. Above this pediment, in place of a second floor window is set a rectangular panel into which is cut an inscription.
Grade 2 Listed. Source: Sitelines.
Merchant Navy Memorial.
1990 by Robert Olley, foundry was Burleighfield. A bronze statue 2.5m high of a sailor at the wheel on a sloping yellow ashlar pedestal 1.74m high. Inscribed on the pedestal on a plaque are the words: "MERCHANT NAVY MEMORIAL/ THIS STATUE WAS UNVEILED BY/ COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA/ ON 19TH SEPTEMBER 1990/ IN MEMORY OF THE THOUSANDS OF MERCHANT SEAMEN/ WHO SAILED FROM THIS PORT AND LOST THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR II/ UNRECOGNIZED YOU PUT US IN YOUR DEPT/ UNTHANKED YOU ENTER OR ESCAPE THE GRAVE/ WHETHER YOUR LAND REMEMBER OR FORGET/ YOU SAVED THE LAND, OR DIED TRYING TO SAVE/ JOHN MASEFIELD POET LAUREATE". The £56,000 needed was raised by public subscription. The plinth was paid for by Tyne and Wear Development Corporation.
Source: Sitelines.
2nd August 2009
South Shields Customs House.
More Information:
- The Customs House
- Wikipedia - Customs House, South Shields
- Historic England - Former Mercantile Marine Offices
- Sitelines - South Shields, Mill Dam, Staith Masters House
- Historic England - River Tyne River Police offices
- Sitelines - South Shields, Cookson's Glassworks, Chimney
- Sitelines - South Shields, Mill Dam, Holborn House, Seamen's Mission
See my other photos around South Tyneside:
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