Welcome to our Forum & Local History Archive

Welcome to our Forum & Local History Archive
[ Welcome to our Forum & Local History Archive ]

Rules! No Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.

An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson

Posted by Norman Dunn on December 23, 2020, 3:34 pm

This photo was taken after WW1. On the right are Colliers at Pelaw Main Staiths with more just 100 yards down river at the Primrose Staith. They are all waiting to fill up with coal. Across the river is the famous Walker Naval Yard. The first Chimney's belong to the Tharsis Sulpher and Copper Works. A bit further downriver are the chimneys of Tennant's Chemical Works. The chimney's were made high to hopefully disperse the dangerous fumes.Tharsis had their own copper mines inland to the region we now call the Costa del Sol.
Today the Siemens Electrical Company factories stand on that land. A perfect place to produce Wind Turbines which are more and more needed.

Re: An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson

Posted by David Henley on December 23, 2020, 4:17 pm, in reply to "An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson"

Yes bring back production to the river.

Re: An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson

Posted by AJG on December 23, 2020, 6:23 pm, in reply to "An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson"

That's a really interesting photo and piece of history - thanks for posting, Norman!

Do you have any other photos showing the Tharsis works?

Tharsis photos

Posted by Norman Dunn on December 24, 2020, 9:59 am, in reply to "Re: An old river view from Bill Quay and history lesson"
Edited by board administrator December 24, 2020, 10:02 am

This is the best photo of Tharsis Sulpher and Copper works in 1925 and it's thanks to the free 'Britain from Above' website. It was derelict and mostly gone in 1950 and now the Siemens Factory stands there.The 2nd pic shows one of those chimneys.

Re: Tharsis photos

Posted by AJG on December 24, 2020, 6:13 pm, in reply to "Tharsis photos"

Really interesting photos, Norman, Thanks for posting them.

It's amazing to think, isn't it, just how much industry there was in our little town all those years ago.

« Back to index

[ Welcome to our Forum & Local History Archive ]

Recommended Local History websites. www.donmouth.co.uk,www.gatesheadeast.co.uk