The following passage is taken from a website called bridges on the tyne.

“ The Tyne Direct Ferry Company was established in 1847 and operated a service between North Shields New Quay to Kirton's Quay west of Mile End Road in South Shields. This was the most easterly of all the Tyne ferries and had the shortest crossing of the three Shields ferries. When the fare was reduced to one halfpenny the ferry acquired the name of The Ha'penny Dodger.”