"The foundation-stone of the Northumberland Dock at Hayhole, near Howdon, on the Tyne, was laid by Joseph Cowen, esq., Chairman of the River Commissioners. As a proof of the magnitude of the project — the dock is capable of containing 600 ships of various tonnage, and covers an extent of nearly 73 acres, and cost nearly £200,000. The stonework forming the bottom of the dock is Cornish granite, some of the blocks weighing nearly 10 tons. The dock is from the designs of Mr. Brooks, Engineer to the River Commissioners."
From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867
