2-888-752 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The First Shipment of Coals in the New Sunderland Docks, [Tyne & Wear],1850. 'The entrance to the dock itself is 60 feet wide; the depth of water at the quays will be 20 feet, and in the middle 24 feet. The length of quays in the dock is 5248 feet, which will easily accommodate 40 vessels...The entrance from the river is between the Tidal Gauge and the Low Quay; where a spacious tidal harbour has been formed...The river itself was studded with every variety of craft that human beings could crowd into it; and every vessel of every description, afloat or on the stocks, was radiant above with gay flags...the vessels advanced slowly to their great destination, guns firing, bells ringing, all the rainbow-hued flags of all vessels...gaily flying from all mastheads and riggings, and every conceivable place of footing for human beings, on both sides of the river, thronged with gaily-dressed spectators'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.