Guardians of the Tyne
"Guardians of the Tyne" is a title which epitomises the men whose calling was to preserve law, order, life and property on and around the River Tyne. Never before, has their story been told in its entirety. This book will chronicle the history of policing and firefighting on the Tyne from the earliest days when the "Serjeants of the Water," later known as "Water Bailiffs," protected the interests of the original conservators of the river, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Corporation.

The establishment of the River Tyne Police, in 1845, under the auspices of the Corporation's River Watch Committee will be described, as will the demand for a more representative body to govern the river, cumulating with the formation of the great institution of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners (T.I.C) in 1850. Two years later, in 1852, responsibility for the River Tyne Police was to transfer to the Improvement Commissioners who, in conjunction with their worthy Superintendents of River Police, would continue to administer the force until 1968.

Running parallel to the history of the development, organisation, management and administration of the force over the years, many captivating stories will be told. Tales of bravery and accomplishment, tragedy and humour, jobbery and intemperance, together with insights into the intriguing lives of officers and men will unfold before the reader. A major part of the book will concentrate upon the more notable occurrences with which the river police were expected to deal on almost a daily basis. Accounts of major land and shipboard fires; shipwreck and salvage; murders and other crimes; riot and strife; unconventional duties and the saving and loss of life in the murky waters of the Tyne are just some of the stories which will be divulged.

Particulars of every steam and motor launch which saw service with the River Tyne Police will be included, together with details of its police stations at North and South Shields, Newcastle, Walker and Gateshead. Descriptions of the evolution of the force's uniform, insignia and equipment will be of particular interest to some.

In addition to the main theme of the book, the River Tyne Police, the histories of various other bodies of police which served the Tyne and its docks will be chronicled.

The Tyne Improvement Commission Docks and Piers Police Service, instituted during the 1870's, endured inferior status to the River Police until its disbandment, in acrimonious circumstances, during 1949. For many years, certain employees of the T.I.C., such as gatemen, watchmen, Harbour Master's men and ferries staff were enrolled as special constables to deal with emergency situations. The Harbours Master's men, in fact, found themselves amalgamated with the River Police between 1859 and 1864. The Tyne General Ferry Company which, between 1862 and 1909, operated a private service on the river, is also known to have employed constables. Then there were the Railway Police of the North Eastern, and later London & North Eastern Railway Companies, who policed Tyne Dock at South Shields until its acquisition by the T.I.C. in 1937.

Finally, the history of firefighting on the Tyne and in its docks cannot be completely divorced from the activities of the River and Docks Police until after World War Two. Accordingly, the involvement of the T.I.C's police in connection with this important work will not be overlooked. For the sake of completeness, reference will also be made to other bodies which have been engaged in firefighting afloat, such as Sir. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co. (Elswick Works Brigade), the Admiralty, the National Fire Service, Newcastle and Gateshead Joint Fire Service, South Shields County Borough Fire Brigade and Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

In 1968, the 118 year life span of the Tyne Improvement Commission came to conclusion, as did the existence of the River Tyne Police. The final chapter of the book will describe how policing of the River Tyne has evolved since that time.

Amongst the appendices, it is intended to include a complete listing of all personnel who served with the River Tyne Police and the T.I.C. Docks and Piers Police Service.

Material for "Guardians of the Tyne" is still being researched.
Whilst, a huge amount of documentary information has already been gathered, it is intended to leave no stone unturned in the quest to provide
an accurate historical work. Any information relevant to this project
would be greatly appreciated, in particular the loan of photographs.


Neil W. Mearns,
December, 2000.


A History of the River Tyne Police, the Tyne Improvement Commission Docks & Piers Police Service and theTyne Fireboats
New photos to be added