Watch House Timeline

Year	Month	Description
1866	June	Proposed the Tyne Commissioners be approached about the possibility of constructing a watch \house on their land.
1866	August	A specification for a mast to be erected on the sands be prepared by the Secretary.
1866	October	The Tyne Commissioners agreed to allow a Watch House be constructed and agreed to supply the labour to erect the structure. Mr. Marshall has agreed to supply the timber at cost price.
1866		Mr. P. J. Messent (Engineer for the construction of the piers) furnished plans and helped in the supervision of its construction.
1866	December	Watch House constructed and internal layout agreed

1867	January	Insurance for the new Watch House agreed for the sum of £150 with the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company.
1867	January	Mrs Ellis wife of Coastguardsmen John Ellis was appointed caretaker to the new Watch House
1867	February	That the sum of 10/6 should be shared amongst all those involved in the construction of the Watch House.
1867	May	Plans to be drawn up for an extra room to be added to present Watch House
1867	August	Messrs Wilson, Stevenson, Dr Stokoe and the Secretary be a subcommittee for carrying out the building of the new wing to the Watch House.
1867	October	An additional £100 be insured on the Watch House in the Lancashire Fire Insurance.
1867	November	New room constructed and fitting out complete

1867	December	The following contributed to the new room. Mr Rennoldson for supplying iron work for the new room. To Dr Stokoe for the way he had fitted up the surgery in the new room. To Mr Kennedy for supplying a new lamp and 3 gallons of petroleum oil and to Mr Clarke spirit merchant Market Place for supplying 1 gallon of brandy. Mr Wigham has given 1 pair of blankets and 1 quilt, messes J Fenwick & Sons 1 pair blankets and 1 quilt. Messrs Rickley and Co 1 pair of blankets and Mr Colluison 1 Quilt. Mr Robson 1 pair of blankets. Messrs Watkin Smith & Banon 1 pair blankets 1 quilt. Thorp & Son 1 Quilt 1 pr. blankets Henry Hedley 1 quilt.
1868	January	Messrs W Cay, S Cottew, R Blair, Geo Smith & T A Wilson be a subcommittee to procure and erect a Mast for Rocket Practice.
1868	7 March	Crew empolyed in erecting drill mast


1868	April	That the painters bill17/6 for Mast be paid
1869	February	Messes Cottew, Birch & Wilson be appointed to wait on Mr Oldroy with a view to get a reduction of his account for setting stones for Mast.
1869		Life Saving Apparatus house built at side of Watch House and furnished with new equipment by the Board of Trade.


1869	July (at latest)	Tyne Commissioners supply the Watch House with water and Mr Hall supplies the pipes.
1869	September (20-27)	During the past week, a handsome and useful iron stove has been added to the new watch-house. The stove possesses facilities for baking, boiling, and general cookery, in addition to being useful in cases of emergency for heating water for the restoration of shipwrecked mariners, and other purposes. A harmonium has also been introduced into the brigade watch-house, besides newspapers, drafts, dominoes, &c., in order to afford amusement to those who are “always ready" when duty calls.
1870	October	Four small moveable tables be provided for the Watch House
1871	March	That the outside of the Watch House be painted and that the Secretary advertise for Tenders.
1871	April	Advert in “Gazette” inviting tenders for painting.
1871	April	The house committee had provided an iron bedstead for the use of persons having broken limbs.
1871	May	Tenders were received for painting and varnishing the Watch House from Alex Birch £26 16, Gailbutt & Jameson 15 10 and from B Birch for pointing all the joints in the woodwork inside and out where necessary, cleaning the House and superintending the job generally for 36/-. That Garbutt & Jameson & B Birch tenders be accepted.
1872	February	Mr Wilson reported that he had provided for the Watch House a Royal Coat of Arms and asked permission to have it placed over the outside door.
1872	July	The House committee be instructed to get the remainder of the top panes in the inner room made to open and a few more also in the large room.
1872	October	Mr G D Halls a\c for altering windows in the Watch House be paid.
1873	February	A new lock be put on the outside door furnished with 12 keys
1873	June	Messrs Garbut and Jameson tender (£17 10s) for painting the Mast and painting and varnishing the Watch House be accepted
1873	October	Mr Wyle’s a\c 8/3 for repairing roof was passed.
1875	April	The Plans submitted by the Secretary for the extension of the Watch House be approved of and that the Secretary be empowered to take the necessary steps for carrying them out before next Winter.
1875	June	The Tyne Commissioners grant a site at the So Pier for extending the Watch House.
1875	June	Tenders for enlarging the Watch House by 18 feet (5.4M) to include new lookout tower, stairway, and extra room.
1875	June	James Frazer appointed to construct the new facilities at a cost of £105.00s 00d Marshal & Guest to supply timber for the project One of the Piers works inspectors to be appointed as the Clerk of Works .
1875	October	Tyne Plate Glass Co. donates glazing for the extension.
1875	December	The Secretary reported that the Extension to the Watch House was completed and that the Board of Trade had promised £200.
1875	December	A booklet, “Brief Sketch of the History of the Brigade”, was presented to members on the reopening of the Watch House.


1876	February	A lock similar to the outside door be fixed on the door at the bottom of the Lookout Stairs and that it be kept locked except in stormy weather and that the door only be opened by those Officers who are in possession of keys. Captain W Cay was instructed to get the necessary to the so that the present door keys would fit it.
1876	July	Mr Robert Wells be paid 7/6 for extra work done during the enlargement of the Watch House.
1876	December	A board be fixed outside the Watch House respectfully requesting the Public to keep outside during stormy weather.
1877	June	The Plan submitted by the Secretary for an additional drying room and enclosing the Watch House with a railing be adopted and that the same be sent to the Tyne Commissioners for their approval and that the Sec have power to make any alterations that the Commissioners may suggest
1877	June	The corner of the Watch House outside the staircase be temporarily boarded up.
1877	November	The thanks of the Committee be given to Capt. Mabane for his offer to have the names of the 12 most important ships wrecked carved on boards for fixing in the Watch House.
1878	January	A letter was read from the River Tyne Commissioners granting permission to enclose the Watch House with Iron Railings and also to build an additional room subject to the usual conditions
1878	July	Advert in “Gazette” inviting tenders from joiners etc. for alterations to the Life Brigade House.
1878	July	The Plan for New Drying Room as prepared by the Secretary be approved The Drying Cabinet in New Room be heated by Hot Water. The Tender of Messrs Dinning & Cooke to remove present Bath & Stove, Provide & fix clothes horses, Washbasins &c as specified in their offer be accepted The dwarf wall round the Watch House be of concrete and the iron railings similar to those in front of the Coastguard Houses Messrs Holliday and Christie’s tender accepted for the new drying room.
1878	September	Messrs Bambridge & Crimson’s Tender to supply and fix the Iron Railings and Messrs Wilson Brothers tender for the necessary Concrete Walling @ 6/3 per lin. Yard be accepted.
1878	October	Messrs Wilson Brothers were unable to fulfil the contract for the Concrete Wall round the Watch House. A sub committee to see Mr Raven as to tendering for the concrete wall with power to conclude a contract
1878	December	The Secretary pay £30 on a/c of Contract to Messrs Denning Hooke for Drying Apparatus & the same amount to Messrs Bambridge & Crimson for Iron Railings. Messrs Garbutt & Jamison’s Tender of £5 for doing the necessary Staining, Varnishing & Painting of the New Drying Room be accepted.

1880	January	Messrs Dinning Hartles Tender be accepted for altering the Drying Rooms Pipes and Fixing a New Boiler on condition that after the job is finished it is proved to be a success and that they give a guarantee to that effect.
1880	May	The thanks of the Committee be given to Messrs Wilson Brothers for their kindness in doing the necessary in fixing the New Boiler in the Drying Room to the amount of £2-3.
1880	July	The following Tenders for Painting the Watch House Railings and Exercise mast were received viz Messrs Garbutt & Jamieson £18 17 6 Mr Jno Sanderson 22 10 0 Moved by Mr Wilson sec by Mr Wood That Messrs Garbutt and Jamieson’s tender be accepted
1880	August	The Committee expressed themselves as being highly satisfied at the way Messrs Garbut & Jamieson had painted the Watch House and Mast. It was moved by Mr Coulson sec by Mr Hopper That Messrs G & J’s a/c £18 17 6 be paid
1881	February	Sawdust be kept off the Watch House floor and that a dozen spittoons be provided
1881	September	Mr Hart have instructions to get a Shifting Stay & Watch Tackle fitted to the Mast.
1881	October	The drying Room Pipes be repaired and that a valve be fitted so as to shut them off from the Bath when necessary
1883	January	The Secretary reported that the Old Stove had been removed to the sleeping room and that a New Stove had been bought for the Large Room.
1883	April	The Secretary reported that the House required Painting & cleaning.
1883	December	The Secretary arrange with Messrs Dinning & Cooke for the repair of the pipes in Drying Closet.
1883	December	Annual entertainment- stove temporarily moved from centre of main hall to rocket house and figure heads repainted. The large chandeliers were decorated.
1885	June	Leave was granted to the Tyne Commissioners to remove a portion of the Roof of the Watch House to allow the large Crane to pass, they undertaking to make good the alterations.
1885	November	The Secretary reported that on Oct 20 Capt Prowse R.N. had Inspected the watch House & Rocket Apparatus and had found everything in working order. It was also arranged that a New Rocket Apparatus House should be built in the Spring on the site of the present House but larger.
1886	April	A letter from the Board of Trade was read stating that owing to the state of the Mercantile Marine Fund the Building of the Rocket House and supply of a New Van was deferred.
1886	June	The Watch House be painted.
1886	October	A dozen Triangular Wooden Spittoons be procured and that Mr Scrafton make them.
1887	September	Mr John Wilson do the necessary repairs to the Roof slates.
1888	March	The Exercise Mast having fallen down owing to the High Tide & Heavy Sea of this date It was moved by Mr Barrett sec by Mr Vasey That Messrs Thompson Brothers & Mr B Heron be asked to Tender for its repair & re-erection and that the Secretary write to the Tyne Commissioners as to concrete blocks for securing it on the sand.
1888	June	The Secretary updated he had arranged for a Lower Mast price £5 Filling & Fixing it complete with Topmast £12 Concrete Blocks to be fixed by Tyne Commissioners
1888	October	It was decided to postpone the painting of the New Mast till next Spring.
1889	April	Mr Heron’s a/c 9/5 for repairs to Roof be paid.
1889	June	The decayed woodwork of the Watch House be repaired, the Watch House painted outside and painted & varnished inside. Also the Mast be painted and one of the stays repaired.
1889	July	The Sec reported that the Repairs & Painting in accordance with resolution passed at the last meeting were finished.
1891	February	The old water pipe running round the Committee Room should be replaced with a new one.
1891	June	A letter of thanks to Messrs John Thompson, James Gibson & James Mitcheson for doing up the figure head of the “Ploughboy” & carving bracket for the same & fixing it up in the house.
1891	August	It was arranged that Mr B. Heron repair the stay of the exercising mast which has broken away.
1891	September	There was a long discussion about the best means of lighting the Brigade House with the gas which had just been introduced _ It was finally left in the hands of the House Committee assisted by Mr J.H. Wood to confer with Messrs Dagleas & Sons (who had already attended to the connection with the main) as to the best means to be taken_ The House Committee accordingly held a meeting with Mr Dagleas & after going into the matter very carefully, made the necessary arrangements as they now stand & the work has since been carried out.
1891	October	It was arranged that Deputy Secretary should see Mr Dagleas about the old lamps & see what arrangement can be made about him taking them off our hands.
1891	December	The following a/cs were passed Dagleas for Plumbing work in connection with fitting the house with gas- Meter Rent to Gas Company.
1892	June	The next question was painting the Brigade House when it was proposed by Dep. Capt. Wood & 2nd by Mr Newby that tenders be advertised for to paint the outside of the house-2 coats of Paint.
1892	August	Quite recently the Brigade House on the South Pier underwent transformation at the hands of the painter, or rather I should say "painters," for there were several "daub" hands at work. The result of their combined efforts I thought fairly satisfactory until I saw the effects produced by another hand on the premises adjoining, which are under the control of the coastguard. Now, I believe the coastguard would not have thought about putting a coat of paint upon their premises had it not been for the Life Brigade Committee taking the initiative, but I think something more requires to be done to give uniformity to the appearance of the two places, which, to the general public, appear as one and the same building. We are so proud of our Volunteer Life Brigade that we cannot quietly allow the Board of Trade to get the advantage even in such a matter as the appearance of the Watch House.
1893	January	Now that we are in the midst of the winter storms the Volunteer Life Brigadesmen are paying close attention to the harbour entrance, and more than once within the last few weeks they have held all-night watch at the Brigade House on the South Pier. A very simple but effective means has been adopted for satisfying members who may be thinking of going down to the Brigade House as to whether a watch is being kept or not, and that is by exhibiting a red light in the west face of the turret of the building. It is easily seen from Seafield Terrace or the higher part the road leading past Park Terrace, and there is an unobstructed view of the light from about ten or fifteen yards below the western gate of the South Park, looking past the monument.
1893	December	After some discussion about proposed convenience for members Mr Page promised to prepare a plan and submit it at the next meeting.
1894	January	A plan for the proposed convenience to be erected between the Brigade House & the Rocket house was examined by the Committee and after some little discussion the following motion was carried. Proposed by Mr Vasey & 2nd by Mr Newby. “That the whole arrangements be left with Mr Malcolm & Mr Page who will erect it in the most suitable manner”
1894	January	Repairs to Boiler Capt Robson updated having examined the boiler and found that the leak complained of was rather a serious one & that the boiler put in some years ago was much worn & unfit for further service. He strongly recommended ordering a new boiler & not endeavouring to patch up the old one-Capt Robson read an offer from Mr John Marshall to make a new one & fit it in for about £10. After some discussion it was proposed by Mr Newby & 2nd by Mr Vasey “That the whole matter be left in the hands of the House Committee assisted by Mr Page”
1894	February	The plans of the proposed Convenience were discussed and the Hon Secretary read over a tender from Mr Moore for £14 & from Mr P Marshall for £15-After a little discussion the tender from Mr Moore was accepted on the motion of Capt Potts & 2nd by Dep Capt Scrafton
1894	April	Mr Marshall’s a/c for fixing new boiler, altering drying closet, making new arrangements of pipes putting in new wash hand basins new slate slab taps etc. & repairing lead work on roof was discussed & on the motion of Mr Page & seconded by Mr Henderson was ordered to be paid.
1895	August	The subject of painting & cleaning the Watch House was discussed when it was decided on the motion of Dept Capt Thompson & seconded by Mr Heron “That Mr Garbutt be asked to send in a tender for painting the outside with two coats & cleaning the varnish & inside the whole to be done to the satisfaction of the House Committee”
1896	June	It was mentioned that at a previous drill the rocket had taken a downward curve & narrowly escaped hitting some of the mast party Proposed by Dep Capt Scrafton & 2nd by Dep Capt Thompson That a shield of iron be erected near the exercising mast so as to form a shelter for the mast party. The affair was left in the hands of Capt Robson who promised to see after it at once.
1898	June	The House Committee advertise for tenders in the Shields Gazette to paint the outside of the Brigade House & that they arrange for the work to be done as early as possible.

Watch House Timeline

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