Still working on the Tyne in the 1960's these concrete lighters lying at the mouth of the Ouseburn fascinated me. There kind were built as a wartime measure of course, they gave useful service during the Allied Landings at Normandy I believe.

See.........

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/national- ... arge-fcb18

When I was young, there was great excitement when the Army arrived to build a Bailey Bridge across the entrance to Seaton Sluice Harbour, to take heavy plant across to Rocky Island, to assisst with the beaching of an old Concrete Barge on the North side of the Harbour. The plan was to stop sand from the beach blowing into the channel and blocking it up. All was completed and the Barge loaded with Boulders to stop it floating away. We used to have great fun for years afterwards as both Swim ends were accessable. Its still in place today but a more substantial structure has been built up around it.

Mainly WW1 builds, tugs and barges, full listing here, no idea which ones ended up on the Tyne though.
Nice example at the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port.
We buried CRETESTREET at Hull where it had been on the end of the training wall below QE Dock.

http://www.mareud.com/Ferro-Concrete/f-c-list.htm

I knew that list existed, George but had lost the link.

The FBC Barges were all from the Second War and were numbered, whereas the 1st WW ones were mostly named CRETE......... and were of a completly different design. Some FBC's were built as Fuel Barges for D-Day and many have seen further use a Breakwater's.

CRETESTREET at Hull 29.06.91

More on CRETSTREET here:
http://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view. ... RETESTREET