JANUARY
3 January
The monthly drills took place throughout the year.
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRIIL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 5th January, at 3.30 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 3 January 1895
12 January
The results of the examinations for the Ambulance Class were announced.
ST. JOHN
AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION,
SOUTH SHIELDS CENTRE.
THE following List contains the names of the successful Candidates in the Examinations, conducted the 17th & 18th of December last, by Surgeon-Major HUTTON:—
Dr Crease's Ladies' Class.—A. Barbour, E. Robson, A. J. Young, E. Baird, T. Atkinson. D. Wann, M. R. Wann, A. M. Chalmers, M. K. Wood. C. Brown, M. Bewick, J. Brown, E. Marshall, and M. Macpherson.
Dr Crease's V.L. Brigade Class.—J. Crosby, J, Henderson, R. W. Blackburn, A. T. Allan, H. A. Adams, J. Lapsley, J. Prior, W. Dowell.
Dr Goudie's Pilots' Class.—J. Purvis, G. Young, T. Harrison, A. L Ayre, H. B. Schofield, J. Burn, W. Purvis, J. Bone, W. Marshall, R. Leslie, R. Young. J. Wright. R. Chambers. J. W. Phillips.
Dr Sutherland's Police Class.—G. Hindmarch, B. Hall, P. O'Brian, H. Foreman, F. Finety, D. York, H. Jackson,
Corporation Free Classes
Dr Sutherland’s. - D. W. Deacon, J. Potts, C. Campbell, H. H. Shields, W. Bewick, J. Bradley, T. Urwin. W. R. H. Walden, J. N. Robertson, T. W. Batey, J. McGeorge, J. Robertson, J. M. Lee, T. S. Craig, J. Malcolm, J. B. Brown. J. T. Jones, J. G. Smith, J. N. Wardell, W. G. Robinson.
Dr McDonald’s.— T Harrison. G. Lorgeston, T. Roberts, J. Johnstone, W Hall, T. Willey, G. W. Johnson. C. Bains, j. Worsley, J. Wait. C. Harrison, J. Pickering, E. Kay, T. Corry, R. Findlay, P. Cleet, T. Ellerby, G. W. Johnston.
C. W. HARRISON.
JAS. PAGE
ALF. BROWN, Corresponding Secretary
Hon. Secs
Waverley Chambers.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 12 January 1895
14 January
The pier gates were destroyed during a storm.
Severe Storm
South Shields Pier Works Damaged
While the gale was its height yesterday morning, and waves of a tremendous height were breaking over the South Pier the gates situated midway on the pier were completely torn from their fastenings and demolished. About 70 members of the Life Brigade were on duty throughout yesterday under the charge of Capt. G. R. Potts, Captains Buckland and Robson also being in attendance. About eight o'clock yesterday morning a schooner was espied during a snow squall coming from northward. Just she rounded the North pier a tremendous sea caught her and she was carried in dangerous proximity to the end of the South pier. The vessel could scarcely be discerned at times owing to the blinding snow showers. For a few minutes considerable alarm was felt for her safety, but luckily the vessel was handled wonderfully well, and she managed to reach the harbour in safety. At one time the sea was as high as her topsail yard. Those who witnessed this incident say that it was miracle that the vessel escaped destruction. Shortly before five o'clock in the evening the screw steamer Ravensworth arrived. The crew report that during the whole of the passage from London the weather was very severe, with constant snow squalls. When between the Tyne piers the sea was running so fearfully high that a quantity of oil was poured overboard, which had in some measure the desired effect upon the huge billows.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 14 January 1895
30 January
The Annual Supper took place.
FEBRUARY
2 February
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL wiII take place on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd of February, at 4 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 February 1895
MARCH
2 March
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd March, at 4 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 28 February 1895
APRIL
4 April
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL wiII take place on Saturday afternoon, the 6th April, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 April 1895
MAY
1 May
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 4th of May, 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 May 1895
17 May
The Brigade was on duty during stormy weather.
Shipping Movements Stopped
The weather off the Tyne throughout last night was of a wild description. The N.N.E. gale which prevailed all yesterday blew with unabated force, and the sea on the coast ran tremendously high. Between 7 and 9 o'clock last night the Tyne piers were at times not discernable in consequence of the continuous huge waves breaking over them. Shipping has been since yesterday practically at a standstill, only one or two vessels sailing during the afternoon. From eight o'clock last night till this morning not a single vessel left Shields Harbour. Only two steamers came in, namely, the London passenger steamer Tynesider, and the Princess Sophia from Aberdeen. A number of the Tyne fishing fleet arrived this morning at the Corporation Fish Quay, North Shields, reporting severe weather. During the gale yesterday afternoon, a yacht belonging to a Newcastle gentleman broke from her moorings inside the South Pier, and was dashed to pieces. On the outside of the pier a fishing coble was washed ashore and a quantity of her gear lost. In both cases, however, the coastguards did what they could to save the contents of the yacht and the fishing boat from the sea, and were to some extent successful, though the work was attended with some danger. The members of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were on duty during the height of the storm.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 17 May 1895
18 May
The construction of the piers neared completion.
The Tyne Piers
Inspection of the Commissioners
Yesterday a number of members of the River Tyne Commission visited the piers at the mouth of the river for the purpose of inspecting the works now in progress, and of deciding whether any formal opening ceremony should take place. There has been some idea of celebrating the completion of the piers which have been so long in progress, in a befitting manner, and it has even been suggested that the presence of Royalty in the person of the Duke of York should be invited, the Royal Show week at Darlington—the last week in June—when H.R.H. will be the guest of Lord Barnard, at Raby Castle, having been suggested as a suitable occasion. All this, however, has not yet gone beyond the stage of suggestion and has not, we believe even been formally discussed by the Commission. The chairman, Mr J. C. Stevenson, M.P., was unable to be present yesterday but the vice-chairman—the Mayor of Newcastle—the chairman of the Piers Committee —Ald, Stout— and several other Commissioners made the trip, accompanied by Mr P. J. Messent, who first as resident engineer, then as assistant engineer to the Commissioners, and latterly as Commissioners' engineer, has practically been in charge of the pier works since the first surveys, nearly five and forty years ago. The weather, however, was very rough and rendered the inspection of more than a small section of the pier works impossible, the sea breaking over the greater part of both piers all day. The decision as to a formal opening was deferred to the next meeting of the Commission.
The foundation stone of the piers was laid with appropriate ceremony in June, 1854, by the late Sir Joseph Cowen, then chairman of the Commission. The first part of the work was carried out by contract, but great difficulties and some disputes arose, and early in the sixties the Commissioners took the work into their own hands. In 1868 a terrific gale swept away or seriously injured a considerable portion of the newly constructed work, and the plans originally prepared by Mr Walker, C.E., of London— were reconsidered by Mr Ure and Mr Messent, and rearranged on their present basis. It was found that the cause of the disaster was that the foundations of the piers had not been carried far enough down into the blue clay. The damaged work was reconstructed with much deeper foundations, and the extension of the piers was continued on the new line. The work necessarily proceeded slowly and after 1880 was continued more tentatively until the all-important question of the width of the harbour entrance between the pier ends should be decided by experience. The South Pier—so far as the structural work was concerned, was practically completed three or four years ago, and the North Pier was on the very eve of completion when the great gale of November, 1893, swept away the Titan crane and did considerable damage to the structure of the pier itself, and to the end of the South Pier. In December last year the crane on the South Pier went the same end, but the work there, being practically finished, the loss was not so serious. The crane on the Tynemouth Pier has now been reconstructed, and during the present year the work of finishing off both piers has been pushed vigorously forward. On the South Pier a small army of workmen have been engaged in lowering the level of the railway metals—or rather in laying new rails flush with the surface of the pier, removing the old rails and the concrete in which they were embedded, and which rose six inches above the pavement of the pier, and in cementing the surface to a smooth and uniform level. This work, which is now completed to beyond the boat landing, will render the pier the finest promenade in the North of England, and will be much appreciated both by the residents of and the visitors to South Shields. The coping of the pier is being completed both at the shore end and round the circular head of the pier where it was removed by the gale and we understand that the handrail on the inner side of the pier is to be continued down to the watch house of the Life Brigade. But the most important work in progress is the erection of the lighthouses on the ends both piers which will remedy the complaints so frequently made by shipmasters who have to enter the river at night. The lighthouse on the south side will be 57 feet above high water mark, the stone shaft being now practically completed and ready for the lantern, and will show an intermittent light similar to the present Groyne light. The lighthouse on the North pier is just beginning to rise above the level of the pier. It will be 60 feet in height showing a red, white, and green light. Gas will be the illuminant in both cases. Although the severe winter and the present storm have delayed the work, it is expected to be completed before the end of July, and thus the top-stone will be placed on two structures almost without equal in the kingdom. The piers are carried out into a depth of about 36 ft. at low water, the width of the harbour entrance between the pier ends being about 1,300 ft. with a depth of 50 ft. at high water of spring tides.. The South Pier, including the submerged base, is 5,397 ft long, and the North Pier 3,189 ft. Over three million tons of stone, exclusive of lime, cement, etc., have been employed in their construction, and the actual cost of the constructive work has been £1,100,000, exclusive of the lighthouses which are to cost £6,600 more. If the vast amount paid in interest on the money borrowed for pier construction is taken into account the total cost of the pier works will exceed two millions sterling.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 18 May 1895
JUNE
1 June
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 1st of June at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 31 May 1895
8 June
The building of the pier lighthouse was completed.
The South Pier
Yesterday the top course—which is of Aberdeen granite—in the construction of the lighthouse on the South Pier, was completed, and there now only remains the lantern to be added. When the last stone had been fixed, flags, which were lent for the occasion by the Volunteer Life Brigade, were hoisted on the new structure and they attracted a great deal of notice as they flaunted in the breeze, and were conspicuous from a great distance.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 8 June 1895
24 June
Two members of the Brigade assist with an accident at the Pier.
Accident at the South Pier. —Last night a young man named Alexander, living in Taylor Street, South Shields, while walking on the rocks on the South side of the South Pier, slipped his foot and severely injured his right leg. He was removed on a stretcher by Messrs G. Ogilvie, Ben Heron, , S. S.V.L.B., R. Jefferies, and others, to the Brigade House, where his injuries were temporarily dressed by the above named, , and he was afterwards taken to the surgery of Dr Ord, Salmon Terrace, where that gentlemen attended to him. The incident, caused great excitement among the promenaders on the pier. Alexander is progressing favourably, but it will be some weeks before he is able to get about again.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 25 June 1895
JULY
3 July
The Annual Meeting took place.
6 July
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 6th of July, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 July 1895
17 July
The Annual Church Parade took place.
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE ANNUAL CHURCH PARADE will be held on Sunday morning next. Meet at Brigade House at 9.45. Uniform must be worn.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 17 July 1895
21 July
South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade . —The annual Church parade of the S.S.V.L.B. was held yesterday morning. The members assembled at the Brigade House, where they were joined by representatives of the Coastguard and Royal Naval Reserve. Preceded by the Wellesley Boys' Band, the procession marched the Seamen's Church, Mill Dam, where a large congregation of seafaring people assembled. An interesting feature of the service was the effective accompaniment by the band, of the beautiful sea-hymn “Eternal Father strong to save." The sermon on the words "The Sea is His and He made it," was preached by the chaplain, the Rev. F. H. Webb-Peploe; the special offertory amounting to £5 2s, being devoted to the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society. The muster was good, consisting of 65 members of the brigade; 4 coastguards; and 14 naval reserve men.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 July 1895
25 July
The Brigade took part in the first “Lifeboat Saturday” at Newcastle.
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
LIFEBOAT DEMONSTRATION at Newcastle on Saturday. Members meet at Railway Station at 2 o'clock. Uniform.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 25 July 1895
29 July
Lifeboat Saturday in Newcastle
The first “Lifeboat Saturday" held in Newcastle took place on Saturday, and although the weather in the morning was exceedingly threatening the rain ceased before the time announced for the procession to start, and the demonstration throughout was a pronounced success. The committee, at the head of which was Lord Percy—fittingly elected President in recognition of the aid lent by his grandfather in the constitution of the first lifeboat—had worked with a will. The arrangements were carried out without a hitch under the direction Mr Percy F. Ward, hon. sec., and Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, chief marshal. The procession was of great length, and headed by a detachment of mounted police, and by the Mayors of Newcastle and Gateshead, traversed the principal streets of the city, collections being made en route. The chief objects of interest in the procession were the Tynemouth lifeboat "Chas. Debden" and crew (Coxswain Jos. Gilbert), the Cullercoats Life Brigade, “Co-operator No. 1„" and crew (coxswain A. Taylor), the John Foster Spence, shore life-saving boat from Tynemouth, a contingent of Cullercoats fishwives, the Tynemouth and South Shields Life Brigades—57 out of 80 members of the latter being present; the boys of the Wellesley Training Ship, under Captain Baynham, the Tyne Commissioners diver in diving dress and gear, &c. Among others West Dock Band, South Shields, took part in the procession, heading the detachment of the South Shields Life Brigade. A numerous band of collectors was busy at work. Whilst some carried large boxes among the spectators, others gathered contributions with the aid of long poles, along the entire length of which ran a canvas tube, having funnel-like opening at the top and communicating with bag at the bottom. There were also collecting cars in the procession. The amount realised was about £213.
In the evening the lifeboat crews appeared at the Tyne Theatre, and a collection made there brought £7 5s.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 29 July 1895
AUGUST
3 August
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 3rd of August, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 August 1895
SEPTEMBER
7 September
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE Next DRILL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 7th of September, at 6 o'clock
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 September 1895
20 September
The Brigade rescued five of the crew of the Constantine.
28 September
New ambulance classes were arranged.
Volunteer Life Brigade Class held in the Watch House. Lecturer, J. R. Crease, Esq.. F.R.C.S.E. Secretary, Mr James Page. 67 King Street.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 28 September 1895
OCTOBER
2 October
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE MEMBERS are specially requested to attend the DRILL on Saturday, Oct.5th when the Brigade will be inspected by Capt. Freeland, R.N., Inspector-General of Life Saving Apparatus. Muster in the Watch House at 2.45 p.m. Uniform must be worn.
S. MALCOLM. Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 2 October 1895
7 October
The Annual Inspection took place.
South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade. —The annual inspection of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade took place on Saturday afternoon, the inspecting officer being Capt Freeland, R.N., Inspector General of Life Saying Apparatus, who was accompanied by Capt. Heathcote (Sunderland), commanding the coastguard of the North-Eastern district. About 60 members and officers mustered at the brigade house on the South Pier, Capt. James Page being in charge, and there being also present Capts. G. B. Potts and J. W. Buckland and deputy- captains Newby, Thompson, and Grimes, and Mr S. Malcolm, hon. sec. The men went through the usual drill, which was done on slow time by request of the inspecting officer. Capt. Page made a capital shot, the line falling over the mast, and ropes were manipulated without any hitch of any kind. Afterwards Capt. Freeland addressed the men, and expressed himself as being favourably impressed with all he had seen. He complimented them on the manner in which they carried out their drill, and said he would be pleased to mark them "excellent," which was the highest praise he could give to any brigade,—Subsequently the inspecting officer saw the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade in their drill.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 7 October 1895
18 October
The Annual Meeting of the St John Ambulance Association took place.
Ambulance Work in South Shields
Speech by Mr Robson, M. P.
The annual meeting of the South Shields branch of the St. John Ambulance Association was held last night in the Congregational Hall, Ocean Road. The chair was occupied by Mr J. M. Moore, and he was supported by Mr W. S. Robson, QC, M.P., and Mrs Robson. There were also present Dr. Crease, J.P., Mr Jas. Nicholson, J.P., Dr. Gowans, J.P., Rev. Webb-Peploe, Chief Constable Morant, Mr F. Thirlwell, Mr C. W. Harrison and Jos. Page (joint secretaries), Supt. Farmer, and others.
The Chairman regretted the absence of Canon Savage, who had been at expected preside, and whose absence, he said, was unavoidable. It gave him (Mr Moore) the greatest pleasure to take part in such an interesting occasion as an address from Robson, the member for the borough. It was his desire, and had been from the moment that his name appeared in public as candidate for the position which he was sure Mr Robson would honourably and usefully hold, to extend him hearty welcome, and to make his lot, whenever he is in South Shields, as happy as it was possible to be. (Applause.)
The Secretary, Mr C. W. Harrison, read the annual report, of which the following summary:—ln the course of this session, the ambulance work in South Shields has suffered, in common with other similar movements, from the continued depression in trade on Tyneside, and the serious prevalence of sickness in the borough, but in spite of these hindrances a fair amount of good work has been done, shown in the following list of classes and successful students ;—Female nursing, 15; pilots, 14; Volunteer Life Brigade, 8; Y.M.C.A , 13; Corporation class, 20; Corporation class, 19; police, 7; Trinity Institute class, 16; total, 112. A special feature in the work of the session has been the inauguration of the Corporation Free Classes. The importance of the work done can hardly be over-estimated, when it is remembered that the students are nearly all employed in the large works on the Tyne, where serious accidents are of such frequent occurrence. The whole of the members of the pilots' class passed successfully and the examiner, Surgeon-Major Hutton expressed himself as being very highly pleased with the excellent way in which all his questions were answered.
Arrangements have already been made for the carrying on of nine classes (including one for seamen) during the forthcoming session. The sincere thanks of the committee are due to the medical men, who, at such great personal sacrifice, have instructed the students, and to the secretaries of the several classes. (Applause.)
Dr Gowans moved the adoption of the report. He was glad to see that the Corporation had recognised the value of the work. He thought that they could not spend a little money in a more useful, humane, and more advantageous manner, on behalf of the working classes of South Shields, than in the formation of those classes. As one of the honorary surgeons of the Ingham Infirmary, he should like to testify to the practical, useful way which the men who had passed through a course of ambulance work did their duty in South Shields. He believed that but for the skilful and intelligent manner, and the prompt attention given by those persons in many instances the patient would run much greater risk of losing his life or losing limb, than he otherwise did. (Applause.)
Supt. Farmer seconded, and the report was agreed to.
Inspector Young and number of constables then mounted the platform and gave interesting demonstration in ambulance work.
Mr Robson. M.P., moving a vote of thanks to the medical instructors' complimented the police on the excellence of their drill. He had always thought that the police in this country were excellent body of men. They had got to combine a very great variety of accomplishments. A policeman had to be an accomplished lawyer, but that was comparatively easy. (Laughter.) He had got to be also a courageous warrior, ready to fight; and he was not complete unless he was a bit of a parson, as well, ready to make peace as well as to declare war. (Laughter.) They were not only lawyers, soldiers, and parsons, but also doctors. (Hear, hear.) He did not think any class of the community combined so many accomplishments as the police and it redounded enormously to the credit of South Shields that they should lead the way, as they had done in this country, with regard to ambulance training among the members of their fore: (Applause.) ln other towns the police had taken up ambulance, but in South Shields a very much larger proportion the police were devoted to the work and had made themselves proficient in it. They could not get along in that matter, however, without the aid of the medical profession. In South Shields the doctors had distinguished themselves, and honoured the community by the enormous amount of unpaid services they gave to these ambulance classes.(Applause.) He could not imagine a place where ambulance teaching was a greater necessity than South Shields They were a great industrial district, and in their vast shipbuilding yards, engineering shops, factories, on board steamers, and indeed every industry by which they lived, the toil of the artisan and the labourer was accompanied by some element of risk. Accidents were always taking place, and he regarded those poor fellows as victims and martyrs of industry. They could not offer them consolation in money, but they ought always to be near at hand to render them succour. That was what this association was founded to accomplish. (Applause.) One department of that association's work was extremely well worthy of mention, and that was the nursing department. (Applause ) Just as then must be professional doctors, so there must be professional nurses, of course; but he thought there was a greater scope for what might call amateur voluntary and philanthropic nursing. There were a great many of the poor who could not afford a professional nurse, and it would be a great boon conferred if in such a case of need the doctor could be able to send one of those philantropic nurses. (Applause.) There was no better kind of charitable or philanthropic work than that, and he invited the ladies to consider whether it might not be worthy themselves to acquire this knowledge in order that they might use it the hands of the poor where they could not afford a professional nurse. (Applause.)
Chief Constable Morant seconded and remarked that they were proud of the fact that the South Shields Force were the pioneers of police ambulance classes in the North-country. (Appause.)—The motion was agreed to.
Mr Thirlwell read the treasurer's report, showing a slight debit balance, and on the motion of Mr Jas. Nicholson, seconded by Rev Webb-Peploe, it was adopted.
The proceedings were agreeably interspersed with music, the vocalists being Mr J. Young and Mr W. T. Allen, the former presiding at the piano as well.
Votes of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 18 October 1895
NOVEMBER
2 November
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 2nd of November, at 4 o'clock,
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 November 1895
6 November
The pier lighthouses were brought into use.
The New Lights on the Tyne Piers
The new and stately lighthouses erected at the ends of the North and South Shields piers will lighted for the first time on Monday night. In design and build the erections are alike. They are constructed of grey limestone what in technical description is known as dolomite. This limestone has many distinct qualities of its own and its importance and popularity as building stone may be gathered from the fact that York Minster and the Houses of Parliament are constructed of it. For many years now it has been quarried the Trow Rocks, South Shields, where it is found in abundance, and from which the Tyne Commissioners have all along drawn their supplies. The lighthouses, in appearance and utility, are a fitting coup de grace of the more gigantic works of which they are ornamental and essential part. Viewed from the shore, they stand gracefully and charmingly out on the sea, and lend a pleasing aspect completeness, finish, and picturesqueness to the piers and harbour over which they will henceforth keep the unwearied guard of "sentinels of the night." The work has been carried out with special regard to strength and durability, as well uniformity, this combination has been secured in the most admirable way. The stone work is additionally strengthened by wrought iron bars passing from the coping down to about ten feet below the base of the lighthouse.
From the point of view their services as aid to navigation they will considerably improve the value of the harbour, not only as a place of but for every day navigation. The means of illumination will be gas, and the lights will be visible for seven or eight miles. That on the North Pier will be fixed light and will comprise a trio of colours, red, white, and green, showing all round. The South Pier light will be of a more distinguishing character. It will be intermittent, similar to the present Groyne light, the periods of obscuration being two seconds every ten seconds. It will also differ from the north side illuminant in regard to colour, showing, as it will, a white light on the channel side and red on the shoal or danger side. The existing intermediate light on the North Pier will unnecessary, and therefore discontinued. The red face of the new South Pier light house, taken in line with the Tynemouth red revolving light, will henceforth indicate the position of the South Pier-head, and enable vessels approaching from the south to keep well clear of it. The lights are 1,388 feet apart, and the opening between the piers is 1,300 feet. On the north side the light stands 63 feet above high water (spring tides), and is composed of a red light of the fifth order, white of the sixth order, and green of a fourth order, superposed at a distance of 5 feet apart. The new South Pier light is placed at an elevation of 48 1/2 feet, and is of the third order dioptric light, corresponding illuminating power to that of the Priory lighthouse. The South Pier is also provided with a fog bell, which rings every minute, and is controlled by automatic power. It is expected that the tower will be lighted about four o'clock in the afternoon of Monday first, 11th November.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 8 November 1895
23 November
The Brigade rescued the crew of nine from the Salween.
DECEMBER
5 December
SOUTH SHIELDS
VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday afternoon, the 7th of December at 4 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 December 1895
23 December
The Brigade was on duty during stormy weather.
Vessels Sheltering in the Tyne
The weather off the Tyne last night underwent a decided change for the worse, A strong wind sprang up from an easterly direction, and at an early hour this morning the wind was blowing with great force from the south-east. At daybreak, the sea at the mouth of the harbour was running tremendously high, and as far as the naked eye could discern the troubled water was a belt of white foam. The extreme portion of the South Pier was at times completely hidden from view by the great volumes of spray lashing over the huge structure. Some of the Tyne colliers which had sailed during yesterday put back, the masters reporting a very high sea running on the coast. About half-past eight o'clock this morning, an exciting scene was witnessed on the “bar." A screw line fishing boat, making for harbour, was caught by a succession of tremendous waves, and at one period she was carried a considerable distance, and seemed as if she was going to be engulphed in the terrific sea. By good management the vessel safely entered the Narrows. Three coasting vessels followed, their progress being keenly watched, but all reached the river in safety. The members of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were on duty early this morning, to render succour to any vessel in distress, but happily their services were not required. The Danish steamer Georg, bound for Copenhagen, was obliged to bring up at Smiths' Buoys, being unable proceed on her voyage.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 24 December 1895