Low Lights Fishery

Low Lights Fishery

HER Number
12310
District
N Tyneside
Site Name
Low Lights Fishery
Place
North Shields
Map Sheet
NZ36NE
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Stuart 1603 to 1714
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Description
Named after the lighthouse built in 1536-40. On the north side of the Narrows at North Shields. Referred to as Robert Ramsey's fishery in 1637. The fishery extended from the Black Middens (NZ 371 687) three miles to Howdon Head (NZ 333 660). It existed at least as early as 1443 when the Prior of Tynemouth possessed three long weirs or salmon yares across the river towards Jarrow which impeded ships sailing upstream to Newcastle. In the 18th century it used sweep nets and stake nets which were hauled ashore at the Black Middens, Mussel Scarp (NZ 365 685), Coble Dean, White Hill Point (NZ 349 661) and Howdon (NZ 333 661). Its rent (with Cullercoats) was £2 in 1851. In 1775 265 salmon were caught in one draught {Brand, History and Antiquities of Newcastle, Vol 2, p 33}.
Easting
436200
Northing
568400
Grid Reference
NZ436200568400
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59; Craster, A History of Northumberland, Vol. 8, p. 289, 294, 298,