Bringing a tow out of the basin at Dunston staithes. Some twenty years later the derelict remains of the Redheugh Gas Works would be swept away during the preparations for the Gateshead Flower Festival which took place between May and October 1990.
Ahead of the tug is a long disused coal drop adjacent to the Redheugh Bridge and beyond that evidence of shipbreaking activities at Kings yard

See
http://www.tynetugs.co.uk/roughsider1958.html

That would be about right 1970 ish. Spent quite a bit of time in Redheugh Yard working with the Gang who were altering pipework and diverting mains from the old retort house. I think there was a bit more to the roof as we used to park our cars in that building. All the site rubbish used to get burned at the base of the chimney. The updraught was fantastic!
At the same time the Diesel Engine was not very well so the Yards Steam Tank Engine was brought into use which was great fun!

The two fellows on the stern seem immune to the possibility of the tow rope swinging over to starboard.

100% Trust in the "Gaffer" up top!

Hope the Bigger Gaffer even higher was looking out for them also.

See also: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=17559

R.