Designated in 1981. Mill Dam Conservation Area is 2 hectares of remnant riverside heritage, containing some very impressive buildings evocative of the area's once pivotal commercial role.
The area was dominated by the Subscription Brewery and Swinburne Glassworks in 1862. In 1863 the Customs House was built on the site of the brewery. The River Tyne Police and Port Sanitary Authority buildings were added in 1886. By 1921 the glassworks were replaced by a looped array of railway lines serving Harton Low Staithes. A short tunnel gave access under the road network.
After the 1926 General Strike, there was a riot in Mill Dam sparked by lack of work and tensions over the presence of Yemeni sailors who had been encouraged to work and settle in South Shields for over 40 years. The riot of 1930 left people injured and 20 Yemenis deported. At this time Mill Dam had tidy cobbled streets, a police box and walled yards surrounding wholesale merchants, anchor stockman and engineering works.
Demolition of old buildings began in 1930 to coincide with the continuation of Commercial Road. By 1939 there were many cleared spaces. Post war, Mill Dam was derelict and depressed. By 1966 the cobbles had been hidden under concrete, modern lamposts replaced the traditional gas lamps, brick commercial buildings were rendered.
By 1973 the site behind the River Police Station had been cleared and the glassworks chimney had been lowered to its present height. The Customs House was listed in 1978 and in 1981 was sold to the Arts and Live Music Association for restoration and conversion into an arts centre. Work commenced in 1986. The buildings behind the River Police Station were converted into the Dalton's Lane Workshops.
After 1987 the land to the rear of the Unity Hall was developed with housing. A new road, Harton Quay was laid out through the grassed former railway sidings.
Key buildings in the Conservation area are Staith House, The Waterfront Public House, the chimney, Seafarers Mission, Flying Angel Public House, former Chandlers Buildings, nos. 53-67 Mill Dam and Unity Hall.
Description courtesy of Sitelines.
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:
- Wikipedia: Customs House, South Shields
- Historic England: Former Mercantile Marine Offices
- Sitelines: Mill Dam, Staith Masters House
- Historic England: River Tyne River Police offices
- Sitelines: Cookson's Glassworks, Chimney
- Sitelines: Mill Dam, Holborn House, Seamen's Mission
See my other photos around South Tyneside:
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