186 COMMITTEE’S ADDRESS. 
The South Pier has a base of rubble stone similar to the north 
pier, but the superstructure above low water consists of an em- 
bankment, or hearting of rubble, with sloping sides, faced with 
large stones, cut and fitted together without mortar or cement; 
the top forming a road or way 27 feet wide, is 10 feet above high 
water, and is to be furnished with a parapet on the south side. 
Of this work 2,400 feet have been raised to the full height, and 
the foundation prepared for 400 feet more. 
The object of the works which I have described, is to improve 
the entrance to the river Tyne by giving increased depth, smoother 
water, and shelter for ships entering in stormy weather. The 
shelter is partially accomplished already by the north pier, the 
finished portion of which, now protects the bar from northerly 
gales, and so, considerably reduces the danger of loss of life from 
shipwrecks. The other objects are not expected to be obtained 
to any great extent, until the works are further advanced, espe- 
cially the south pier, the outer end of which is still about 100 feet 
behind that of the north pier, compared with the general coast 
line, although it is to be even with the north pier when finished. 
This continued difference, or present backwardness, on the part of 
the south pier, is on account of the Admiralty, who have the 
control of all such works, having limited the length of the south 
pier to the 2,800 feet at first contracted for, and now nearly 
executed. The works are being carried out upon the design of 
“Mr. James Walker, F.R.S. ‘The contractor for the portions now 
nearly completed, is Mr. Lawton. 
Thence the party wandered along the shore to the Trow Rocks, 
where Mr. Howse was, as usual, in great request, his annual 
geological expositions being now looked upon as a most attractive 
and necessary part of the programme. In his labours he was 
_ably aided by Mr. J. W. Kirkby, who, with equal readiness and 
good-will, imparted the knowledge of which years of patient 
-research have made him master. \ 
_ The Trow Rocks are fast vanishing before the dire assaults of 
the quarrymen, the visits of the Club find them growing, 
