COMMITTER’S ADDRESS. 185 
On the Tyne Piers. By Puture Messent, Esq., C.E. 
The Tyne Piers now in progress of construction, are two stone 
piers or breakwaters, one on either side of the entrance to the 
Tyne. They commence at the shore above high water line, and 
are intended to terminate in a depth of 30 feet at low water, or 
45 feet at high water; the outer ends projecting seaward about 
2,000 feet beyond the most prominent portion of the cliff at Tyne- 
mouth, from which the north pier starts, and 1,500 feet beyond 
the present bar. The opening, or space between the pier ends, 
is proposed to be 1,100 feet wide. 
The points from which the two piers start, are rather more 
than 5,000 feet apart, they therefore converge as they advance 
outwards. The total length of the north pier, when finished, will 
be 3,000 feet, that of the south pier, 5,400 feet. They are both 
to project to the same distance beyond the general coast line, 
and the extra length of the south pier is due to its starting- 
point being much further within the general coast line than the 
starting-point of the north pier. 
The North Pier is formed of a base of rubble stone, or “ pierre 
perdue,” deposited by barges to near the level of low water, upon 
_ which is erected a stone pier or wall nearly 50 feet wide at the 
base, the faces of which are of solid masonry, enclosing a heart- 
ing of rubble. The north face of the wall is carried up to a height 
of 24 feet above high water, spring tide level, and is finished 
with a coping, which forms the parapet of the upper of the two 
roads, or ways, into which the top of the pier is divided. This 
upper platform, called the promenade, is 13 feet wide, and 20 feet 
above high water level. The south, or inner facing of the pier 
is raised to 10 feet above high water, at which level the lower 
road, or quay, 18 feet wide is formed, which affords in rough 
weather, a way sheltered from the N. and N.E. gales. Additional 
shelter is also provided by alcoves under the promenade, at inter- 
vals of 50 feet. 
Of this work, 1,250 feet have been completed to the finished 
height, and the foundation has been prepared for a further 200 
feet. 
