Nov. 18. The Hetton Coal Company effected the first shipment of coals at their newly erected staith on the banks of the river Wear, at Sunderland. The waggon way, which extends over a space of 8 miles from the colliery to the river, and in its course crosses Warden Law (one of the highest hills in this part of the country), was crowded with spectators to witness the first operations of the powerful and ingenious machinery employed for conveying the coal waggons. Five of Mr. George Stephenson's patent travelling engines, two 60 horse power fixed reciprocating engines, and 5 self acting inclined planes (all under the direction of Mr. Robert Stephenson, the company's resident engineer), simultaneously performing their various and complicated offices with the precision and exactness of the most simple machinery, exhibited a spectacle at once interesting to science, and encouraging to commerce. After the business of the day, the owners of the colliery, with about 50 of their friends, dined at Miss Jowsey's, the Bridge inn, Bishopwearmouth.

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

"After several years labour the owners of Monkwearmouth colliery, (Messrs. Thompson, Pemberton, and Co.), succeeded in loading the first vessel placed under their improved staith, with a cargo of coals. The workmen on the occasion were profusely regaled with strong ale, and great rejoicing took place throughout the whole of the day." 13th June 1835

The North Eastern Railway Company opened Dunston Staiths in 1893 to meet the growing demand to export coal. Coal from mines in County Durham were loaded onto ships from the staiths on the River Tyne at Dunston.

The staiths can still be seen today and are believed to be the largest timber structure in Europe. 

A second set of Staiths at Dunston were built in 1903, adjoining the original staiths built 10 years earlier.

Also, a tidal basin was dug out, where colliers could be loaded at all times, regardless of the level of the water, which varied according to the tides.

By the 1920s, 140,000 tons of coal were being loaded onto ships from Dunston Staiths every week. The coal was shipped to other parts of the UK and further afield to countries around the British Empire and Commonwealth.

The staiths remained busy for decades, up to the 1970's, 

The staiths were still being used in the 1970's. But, with the decline of the coal industry, they were finally closed and partially dismantled in 1980.

Dunston Staiths were added to the National Heritage List for England, giving it legal protected status. The list entry notes:

"The last operating jetty staithes on the Tyne. Over 1700 feet long, of braced timber construction. Three berths for ships at either side; upper and lower decks with gantries at intervals. Of historic importance as a relic of the trade which first brought prosperity to Tyneside."

Dunston staiths were partially restored and opened to the public as part of the Gateshead Garden Festival in 1990.