The port developed in the 16th century and, along with the shipyards lower down the River Tyne, was amongst the world's largest ship-building and ship-repairing centres.
Ichweba lakhiwa ngekhulu le-16th futhi, kanye nezikepe ezansi noMfula iTyne, laliphakathi kwezikhungo ezinkulu kakhulu zokwakha imikhumbi nezokulungisa umkhumbi emhlabeni.