Shipbuilder: CW Dodgin & Co, Low Lights, North Shields
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Charles William Dodgin (1839-1917), started as a boat builder working with his father, Samuel Dodgin (1804-16/11/1881), and then set up his own company, which appears to have operated from 1868 to 1876.
In the 1871 census, Charles is resident at the Low Lights Tavern in North Shields and describes himself as "Boat Builder & Innkeeper". In later censuses, he gives his profession as "Marine Engineer". Low Lights refers to one of a pair of navigation beacons buit to assist vessels entering the Tyne and especially to help them avoid the dangerous Black Midden rocks. The High & Low Lights buildings were erected in 1802 and provided permanent lights, placed respectively at the top and bottom of the steep bank alongside the river at North Shields. These Lights still exist today. These "leading lights", as they are known are quite a common feature of harbour approaches. An incoming vessel would keep the two lights in vertical alignment for a safe route into the harbour, . The Low Lights at North Shields can still be found at the North Shields Fish Quay. |