Lawe Top Beacons And Cannons

On previous visits to South Shields, I had visited Lawe Top, but this time, I headed a bit further north to explore the beacons and cannons. I had marvellous vistas and these unconnected historical finds have a story or two to tell.

The beacons were built by John Turnbull in 1832. They are made mainly from brick in a tall pyramidal shape and used as navigational aids to vessels entering the Tyne. It was tricky to negotiate the channels in the river, especially the ones known as the Narrows. One assumes they are so named due to the increased size of coal and merchant ships, and the area was worse than Piccadilly Circus.

The beacons would be lined up vertically by the ship's navigator for a smooth tango through.

The Tyne Improvement Commission was established in 1850 and it arranged for the Tyne to be dredged to deepen the channel to ease congestion.

There were specialised men called pilots who, in their small boats, would guide vessels into port. They lived close to these beacons, which were still used until 1903.

Across the River are the High and Low Lights of North Shields, which were built before these beacons and they then supplemented the North Shields lights.

There is a 55-degree meridian line which adds a modern geographic touch, blending science, history, and landscape.

The Lawes can be defined as “a vantage point across the centuries.” Known for its Roman network, Civil War clashes, and Napoleonic defence position. Back at the turn of the 19th Century, when Napoleon Bonaparte was flexing his metrics, volunteer defence was started in South Shields. Sea fencibles (British militia that were summoned for service only on home soil) in 1805 were made up of Tyne Pilots under Captain Praed, who was a strict disciplinarian and was so called Captain Parade. They were drilled in the use of the great guns of the Lawe Battery, which were then taken to North Shields after 1815.

These cannons are replicas of Russian ones that were captured in the Crimean War (1853-1856) by the British. The originals were melted down for use in munitions during the Second World War. One was a 42-pounder and the other,a 24-pounder, which were shipped in and then brought by rail. They were presented in 1858 by Lord Panmure, AKA Fox Maule-Ramsay, 11th Earl of Dalhousie, who had links to South Shields through his lineage.

He was a politician and served as British Secretary of State in the War Office during the later stages of the Crimean War. He had the nickname Bison due to his muscular physique and determined nature.

There is a display board with 'Defending Tyne and Country, History of the 205 Battery', which gives insight into military action here.

Now you can wander off and check out the nearby Arbeia Roman fort if you wish.