A Dip and a Dive
Table Rocks Bathing Pool, Brown’s Bay
Table Rocks was a unique, outdoor, tidal swimming pool created from a natural inlet in the rock formations. The natural pool was formally developed as a bathing pool in 1894 by Mr. W. Scott. In 1896 he extended its length to 70 feet and after Whitley and Monkseaton Urban District Council took over control of the pool it was extended again around 1908.
Formed in 1910, The Whitley and Monkseaton Bathing Club made good use of the pool. They had a winkle motif adorning their official red and black swimming costumes. It is believed that later in the club's history each member was given a gold-plated winkle shell and that the custom of local ladies and gentlemen showing each other their winkles came from this.
At its peak the pool had separate changing facilities installed for the ladies and gents which are believed to have existed until the 1950s. The pool is still visible today at low tide although it is no longer in use.
Other opportunities for outdoor swimming were offered along the coast with the introduction of the Tynemouth Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1925 alongside the Panama Swimming Club who were formed in the early 1900s and are still based at The Links, Whitley Bay.
The Wreck of the Zephyros
On 26th February 1947 the Greek steamship Zephyros ran aground at Brown’s Point, between Cullercoats Bay and Brown's Bay, close to Cullercoats Radio Station. There were no fatalities. Parts of the wreck can still be seen at low tide and are often visited by divers alongside the other two wrecks in the bay, of the Butetown and the Astley. Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade seized the opportunity to use the wreck of the Zephyros for realistic training exercises.
Cullercoats Radio Station – Call Sign ‘GCC’- Wireless Telegraphy Station
Built in 1906, Cullercoats Radio Station at Brown's Point, just south of here, marks the first phase of wireless telegraphy’s major contribution towards the twentieth century’s scientific technical revolution. Cullercoats served as a maritime radio receiving station listening for maritime distress signals on the 500 kHz Morse Code band. It was closed with other similar stations after the Coastguard Agency no longer required maritime radio services to maintain 500 kHz distress watch.
The 90 Fathom Dyke is a major crack in the Earth’s crust. Geologists don't know how far it goes down but it is a weak point created when 400 million years ago an ancient version of North America hit an ancient version of Europe. The fault appears around here, running through Cullercoats Bay and emerging just south of smuggler’s cave at the northern end of Longsands and displaces the coal seams which can be seen in the cliffs
