JANUARY
The monthly drills took place throughout the year.
4 January
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY AFTERNOON, the 6th of January, at 3 30 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 January 1900
16 January
The Annual Dinner took place.
FEBRUARY
1 February
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 3rd February, 3 30 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 3 February 1900
MARCH
3 March
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 3rd March, at 4 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 March 1900
5 March
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE AMBUULANCE CLASS announced to commence on Wednesday First, IS POSTPONED until after Easter.
S. MALCOLM Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 March 1900
APRIL
6 April
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon the 7th of April at 6 o’clock. The Instruction Class will meet at 5 30.
S. Malcolm Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 6 April 1900
MAY
5 May
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL Will Take Place on Saturday Afternoon, the 5th May, at 6 o'clock. Instruction Class at 5 30.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 3 May 1900
JUNE
2 June
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 2nd June, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 31 May 1900
JULY
6 July
The Annual Meeting took place.
7 July
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 7th of July, 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 July 1900
25 July 1900
"South Side Notes" in the Shields Gazette proposed a telephone be installed in the Brigade House.
I have just one suggestion to make, and it that without any loss of time the telephone should be installed in the Life Brigade House. If only for such emergencies as these its value would be inestimable. Whose to beat the expenses? Well, if it is partly for a humane work then it partly for a public work and the public ought, and would not object, to pay through the Corporation its share of the costs.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 25 July 1900
AUGUST
4 August
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 4th of August, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 3 August 1900
3 August
A midsummer gale resulted in the Brigade being on watch.
Midsummer Gale
Wintry Weather
Wrecks and Casualties
Telegraphic Delay
A severe gale prevailed in various parts of the United Kingdom yesterday, and the Post Office announced that in consequence there is a delay of several hours in the transmission of press messages to Ireland and various other parts of the country, communication being almost entirely stopped.
THE SHIELDS DISTRICT.
The easterly midsummer gale which prevailed throughout the whole of yesterday in the Lower Tyne and Shields district, reached its worst shortly before dusk last night, when the wind and rain assumed really alarming proportions. From eight o'clock yesterday morning till four o'clock this morning, the persistent downpour practically never ceased. Towards evening the wind which had been blowing pretty hard from the north-east during the day began to shift about causing terrific sea to run on the bar, and the ominous outlook seaward gave much anxiety for the safety of incoming vessels. So boisterous were the elements that it was deemed necessary to have everything in complete readiness in case of emergency, and during the afternoon lnspector Williams, of the South Shields Coastguard Station, had the rocket van taken to its proper place along the pier to be ready should the occasion arise, and watch was kept at the Brigade House, but happily the night passed over without any disaster. The gale blew with unrelentless force till shortly after midnight, but the appearance of daylight brought about a change for the better. The heavy rain suddenly stopped, and the force of the wind considerably slackened, though the sea was still running heavily. The North Pier could be barely distinguished at intervals, owing to the furious breakers which were making a clean breach over the structure from end to end. Such violent and protracted gale at this period of the year has never been known to have prevailed on this coast for many years. The scene at the harbour mouth was like a December storm yesterday; nothing but a belt of white foam could be discerned northward as far the eye could see.
A number of the fishing boats which left the Tyne early yesterday morning, ran back yesterday afternoon and proceeded up the river to moor, while the Scottish herring-fishing fleet which had been detained the previous night from going to sea owing to bad weather, lay at the Fish Quay, North Shields. A good number of Yarmouth boats, which had been obliged to seek the harbour through stress of weather, took up their berth off the Mill Dam. So far is known, the whole of the local trawlers were accounted for up last night, none being at sea.
About seven o'clock last evening, during the height of the gale, a big steamer was seen making her passage from the southward, and little concern was felt in regard to her safety till she neared the south pier, when the utmost anxiety was evinced among the spectators gathered on the bank tops. From what could be observed, she seemed get into rather close proximity to the end of the south pier, and for moment or two her position was the cause of much concern, but she fortunately steered clear. In the meantime, however, the vessel's movements had been closely watched from Tynemouth, where a message was promptly despatched for the services of a tug to proceed to the steamer's assistance, but the vessel, to the relief of the onlookers, was out of danger before the tug came to her. This morning the weather conditions showed improvement over those yesterday, with a rapidly rising glass, and falling sea. The steamers which were obliged to bring at the buoys yesterday morning owing to the storm, took the opportunity of leaving for their respective destinations.
The shipping movements since yesterday have been seriously interrupted, as only steamers which were compelled to as mail steamers, ventured to sea.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 August 1900
10 August
The Piers Committee received a request to build a new rocket van shelter.
Shelter for Rocket Van
The Piers Committee reported the receipt of a letter from Inspecting Commander C. W. Thomas, H.M. Coastguard, Sunderland, with reference to the railway van, owned by the Board of Trade, and maintained on the pier South Shields for lifesaving purposes. On account of its exposure to weather, considerable expense was incurred in its upkeep and the Board of Trade desired to ascertain if there would be any objection on the part of the Tyne Commissioners to the erection of a shelter for it, somewhere near the existing rocket house.—The letter was referred to the engineer for his report.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 10 August 1900
23 August
A letter to the Gazette recalled early memories of the Brigade.
SHIELDS DISCOVERIES IN THE SUNNY SOUTH
Sir,—One of the pleasures afforded a native of South Shields when far from the place of his birth, is to witness the interest manifested by most people, and in particular by Londoners, in the hoary triumphs of the lifeboat, and the utility of the ever widening sphere of the appliances the life-brigade. All seaside resorts on the South coast are now well supplied with lifeboats and life-saving apparatus. Of the tens of thousands, however, this summer, who have thronged the grand promenades at Brighton, lounged the sunny shores of Margate and Ramsgate, and whose curiosity been excited to examine the appliances of the local brigades, or who have surveyed the outlines of the lifeboat, know the names of the inventors of either of these great boons to men "who go down to the sea in ships." During my visits this summer to Margate, Ramsgate and other seaside resorts, you can well understand with what pardonable pride I have imparted information the discovery of the lifeboat, and furnished particulars of the origin of the Life Brigade at South Shields. Details concerning the starting of the Life Brigade are familiar to me; for well remember being witness at early stage in the career of the Life Brigade when my friend, Mrs Malcolm, took a very active interest in its prosperity, and inspired every one with noble impulses. I have also a vivid recollection of the excitement and scene produced by the firing of the alarm guns and the rush " through street and alley" to the neighbourhood of the pier, the alacrity with which life-saving apparatus was produced, the firing of the rocket, the readiness with which willing hands pulled the cradle ashore, and with what acclamation the first mariner from the wreck was hailed and then hurried to the comforts of the Brigade House. I can also recall vividly the scene after the doctors had attended to the half drowned men; observing them coming out among the crowd and imparting the intelligence that "all was well”; how their rescuers were unceremoniously grasped by the hand; how half stifled prayers were uttered by the elder people, and one thrill of joy pulsated in the hearts of all. How the medical men of the town, namely, Drs Stokoe, Crease, Denham, Ridley, Coward, and others, thought it no hardship to watch the rescued through weary hours without thought of fee or thanks, and other men who had spent weary vigils only thought "they had done their duty." Admirable as the management of the lifeboats and brigades in the South may be, it has occurred to me that anyone from Shields and visiting the foregoing places, might suggest improvement methods of work and management which I know will be very gratefully received.—Yours, etc. , Edward Oates.
4 Charlotte Ter., Barnsbury N., London.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 23 August 1900
SEPTEMBER
1 September
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE .BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place Saturday Afternoon, the 1st of September, at 6 o'clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 30 August 1900
14 September
The Piers Committee approved the building of a new rocket van shelter.
Shelter for Rocket Van
The Piers Committee agreed to give the Board of Trade permission to erect a shelter for the rocket van at the South pier.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 14 September 1900
OCTOBER
6 October
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place Saturday Afternoon, the 6th October, at 4 clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 October 1900
NOVEMBER
3 November
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 3 November, at 4 o'clock.
S. Malcolm, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 November 1900
DECEMBER
1 December
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE.
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on Saturday Afternoon, the 1st December, at 3 30 o’clock.
S. MALCOLM, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 28 November 1900