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The Postman
The postman card is one of my favourites, I know it looks a bit boring at first but, it has a flap on the front which lifts up and inside is a series of small pictures. Each one is a different view of Seaham. There are 12 different views, including North Terrace, North and South Docks, The Seafront, Church Street and others. That's why there's such a fold across the middle, that's where the flap lifts up.
The reverse reads: "Dolly, 8 Mary Street, Seaham Har.
Having a ripping time at home, was telling my sister tonight of you, down by prom, will write you later.
Adam
P.S. I think I am going to faint, Bowwow.
P.P.S. To Dot X."
Obviously some personal message there?
St. Mary's Church
The 11th century church of St. Mary's of course stands near Seaham Hall Hotel, formerly the home of the marquess of Londonderry, (Seaham Hall not the church!).
Does anybody know who that is pictured sitting on the wall?
Seaham Beach
Showing the promenade, (sea defence wall). The promenade itself and Groynes were commissioned in 1948 at a cost of £247,960. Later additional work was necessary because the sea had undermined part of the wall. The additional work cost £112,747 and was completed in December 1962.
Its still in excellent condition today and makes for a pleasant walk regardless if the tide is in or out.
The reverse reads:
"Mr Painter (?)
141 BruswickRd
Greystoke Park
Ealing W5
Medde (?) London
Having a very nice time. The weather is good, but not so warm as the south. Hope to see you soon.
Love Hilda.
Dated 24th July 1966 (?)
Featherbed Rock
Picture shows the southern end of the beach with Featherbed Rocks. You can see the Beach Railway which ran right around the rocks, along Red Acre Beach, to the docks. It was used for transporting sand and gravel for building the piers and docks.
The reverse reads:
"Amy Dickinson
Box 2335
Waynesboro, Virginia
Dear Amy
Have missed you. We are all moved. Like it fine. Especially the electricity. Baby Launa is still growing. Weighs 13 1/2 lbs. She so good and sweet. Sun stays cold here. So much wind and dust. Should be gardening. Did get pcard in last mail. Got a lot of housecleaning to do. Some painting & walls to wash. Kids sure like town school.
Sincerely Mrs Floyd Sage
Dated : April 15th 1948
Featherbed Rock
This picture seems later than the previous one, the rocks seem smaller and the beach railway is almost gone. The blocks that carried the tracks can still be seen, in the middle of the picture. Those blocks can still be seen today actually. The picture is taken from Red Acre Beach, looking north. Re Acre Beach is known locally as "The Old Beach". Its the beach directly below the cliffs where the war memorial stands.
North Dock
A relatively modern photo of the North Dock. However there are still a lot of cobbles in the dock at this time.
Anybody able to give a date to the photo?
North Dock
This picture must be prior to about 1900 because there is no evidence of the outer north pier which was completed in 1905 and started about 1901. (Unless it was just left out ?) The north dock was the main dock until the south docks was deepened in 1902, at the same time as the outer piers were built. Quite a lot of gantry's and walkways and even gas lamps, as can be seen on the right side of the picture.
North Dock
An early representation of the dock, not a photograph. The ships in the picture still have sails. It's after 1905, when the out North Pier was built. This seems to be around the same time as the previous picture but, this one includes the out north pier, completed in 1905.
The reverse reads :
"Mrs M Churchill
Row 124 No.4
South Quay
Gt Yarmouth
Norfolk
Dear Aunt
We will do our best for father as you are kind enough to pay his fare he has let us know when he will be coming in haste for past ??????? yours, nice.
Will write you a letter later on.
Dated : July 29th 1909 (Halfpenny stamp, postmark Gillingham Kent ?)
South Dock
Four ships in the South Dock. I can' make out the name on the one far left but it's registered in London. The chute from the dockside is most likely loading coal to take to London. Its has not been used so the reverse is blank. I don't have a date, any guesses?
The reverse asks for a halfpenny stamp.
North Terrace
Looking along North Terrace from about the entrance to the North Dock. The Londonderry Offices would be to the right just out of the photo. That's a gas street light on the right but, without the glass surround ?
The reverse reads :
"Mr Maurice Grapes
44 Joan Street
Wallsend on Tyne
Seaham Harbour
Dear Maurice
Excuse me for not writing sooner but thought of you all the same. Do come through when you have a chance. Cycle through for some weekend or any way you like. We are all keeping well. Hoping you & yours are the same.
Bob.
Church Street
Not sure about the date of this? Can you advise? When did Valenties or Woolworths close?
I think that's Dogarts further down as well?
Either way its a great shot of how Church Street used to look after it was pedestrianised and modernised! The postcard hasn't been used so there's no date stamp or writing on the reverse.
Early Church Street
Looking west up Church Street, with the original I can tell you it was twenty five past one in the afternoon! I can see the Rose & Crown on the left and Minski's on the right. Does anybody recognise any of the other shops etc?
Church Street
Sent to me By Marion, thank you. Marion says :
"The postcard of Church Street was bought because my brother had just started work at Smiths
and it was believed that the boy on the bike was my younger brother."
Dawdon Dene
I've found that on postcards, Dawdon Dene usually means Dalton-
The reverse reads :
""Mr Maurice Grapes
44 Joan Street
Wallsend on Tyne
Emily St. East
Seaham Harbour
Dear Ben,
Landed safe don't start till Monday. I am rather busy this awful removing. Hoping your are keeping well write soon yours truly Bob.
Dawdon Dene
The old drinking fountain in Dalton-
The reverse reads :
"Miss F Giles
Bradfield Hall
North Walsham (?)
England
I am sending you more cuttings which I hope you may be able 2 ??? A pretty purple flox the other blue veronica. Stamp them well into the ground. This picture is where I was just around the corner. I ??? why I could not stay ??? ??? ??? ??? ???. I ??? ??? ???
E S ???"
Dated August 22nd 1912 (?)
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