In message <[email protected]>, Graeme Wall <[email protected]> writes: >On 17/01/2015 13:06, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote: >> In message <[email protected]>, Tickettyboo >> <[email protected]> writes: >>> On 2015-01-16 15:35:16 +0000, [email protected] said: >> [] >>>> "Scotch Church" which is what I am going to do shortly. To be fair- >>>> even though there is a "great big river" between N. and S. Shields- I >>>> have just read that back then the river could be forded (crossed) at >>>> low tide...don't know if that helps at all- 'just thought it was >>>> worth a mention! Good luck with all your research- fascinating aint >>>> it?!!! Jane >> [] >>> I'd be really interested to have the reference for where you read the >>> Tyne could be 'forded' at Shields at low tide. I never discount >>> anything, but am very surprised to hear that. >> >> As a regular user of the "Shieldsman" ferry (and its standin) > >Freda Cunningham? > Rings a faint bell - it is over 30 years since I lived in (South) Shields! (Marine Approach.) I remember the Shieldsman as sort of oval in outline, and able to go equally well in either direction - so could make the crossing whichever way the tide was flowing, without turning round. The standby was a more conventional older vessel, with a definite bow and stern, so - when it was used - had to turn to face into the tide when it turned. I too hope jmisis2003 comes back with details of the ford! -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)[email protected]+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf "Purgamentum init, exit purgamentum." Translation: "Garbage in, garbage out."

On 18/01/2015 18:22, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote: > In message <[email protected]>, Graeme Wall > <[email protected]> writes: >> On 17/01/2015 13:06, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote: >>> In message <[email protected]>, Tickettyboo >>> <[email protected]> writes: >>>> On 2015-01-16 15:35:16 +0000, [email protected] said: >>> [] >>>>> "Scotch Church" which is what I am going to do shortly. To be fair- >>>>> even though there is a "great big river" between N. and S. Shields- I >>>>> have just read that back then the river could be forded (crossed) at >>>>> low tide...don't know if that helps at all- 'just thought it was >>>>> worth a mention! Good luck with all your research- fascinating aint >>>>> it?!!! Jane >>> [] >>>> I'd be really interested to have the reference for where you read the >>>> Tyne could be 'forded' at Shields at low tide. I never discount >>>> anything, but am very surprised to hear that. >>> >>> As a regular user of the "Shieldsman" ferry (and its standin) >> >> Freda Cunningham? >> > Rings a faint bell - it is over 30 years since I lived in (South) > Shields! (Marine Approach.) I remember the Shieldsman as sort of oval in > outline, and able to go equally well in either direction - so could make > the crossing whichever way the tide was flowing, without turning round. > The standby was a more conventional older vessel, with a definite bow > and stern, so - when it was used - had to turn to face into the tide > when it turned. That's her, I've a photo of her somewhere. -- Graeme Wall This account not read, substitute trains for rail. Railway Miscellany at <http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail>