This new hospital was called The Infectious Diseases Hospital, needed because the
town was liable to receive sailors who were infected with the awful smallpox disease.
In 1870 a smallpox epidemic broke out and claimed the lives of 373 unfortunates.
The Bible tells us that ALL men and women suffer from a disease many times more serious
than smallpox. That disease is called SIN. “For all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God” -
The Gospel through a selective history of the town
The South Pier, nearly a mile in length, forms in conjunction with the North Pier
at Tynemouth, a protection for vessels lying in at the mouth of the River Tyne. The
lighthouse at the end of the pier is a gathering point for the hardy angling community.
One such angler was James Bertram of Somerset Street, and in 1895 he pressed into
the still-
Sadly in September 1789, the crew of the ship ‘Adventure’ were swept to their deaths in violent storms after their vessel had grounded on the Herd Sands at the mouth of the Tyne. This tragedy led to the commissioning of a boat specially designed to save lives. It is generally accepted that the ‘Father of the Lifeboat’ was a certain Mr William Woodhave, who is buried in St Hilda’s graveyard near the town centre. His tombstone bears the inscription, ‘The inventor of that invaluable blessing to mankind, the lifeboat’. Woodhave’s boat was designed to save SINKERS. The Bible informs us that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS’
Jesus said -
MATTHEW ch.11 v.28
The Ingham Infirmary, opened on June 3rd, 1873 at a total cost of £6,815, was built as a testimonial of esteem to Robert Ingham, who was twice the town’s Member of Parliament. Another hospital was opened in 1883.
