NORTH

See also:

• SHIELDS, JAMES (181b-1879)

SHIELDS  , a seaport of Northumberland, England, within the municipal and parliamentary borough of Tynemouth (q.v. for history, &c.) . 'The town of that name adjoins it on the E . It lies on the N. bank of the Tyne, immediately above its mouth, and opposite to South Shields in Durham, 7i M . E. of Newcastle by a branch of the North Eastern railway . It is a town of modern growth, and contains the municipal offices of the borough, a custom-house and various benevolent institutions for seamen . The harbour is enclosed by north and south piers, and there is a depth of 29 ft. at spring-tides besides the quays . Coal and coke are largely exported, and corn, timber and esparto grass are imported . There is an extensive fish quay, and about 14,000 tons of fish are landed annually . There are engineering, iron, salt and earthenware works, and some shipbuilding is carried on .