Harton Colliery. This was linked to a railway (HER 2332) by a wagonway (HER 2395). Opened in 1844, closed 25 July 1969. Owners were (1850s) W. Blackett, N. Wood, Anderson and Philipson, later Harton and Hilda Coal Company, then Harton Coal Co, and from 1947 the National Coal Board. In July 1844 the Bensham seam was reached at a depth of 1290 feet - the greatest depth in the Tyne district at that time. The shaft was single, but divided into two by a timber brattice. Cast-iron tubbing was required due to a fault which extended to a length of 474 feet. Whellan, in 1894, reported that Harton was one of the deepest mines. In 1854 it was the scene of the famous pendulum experiments by Astronomer Royal, Sir George Buddell Airey.

- Sitelines

NEHL - Harton Colliery was a modest working but kickstarted development in this corner of South Shields. Upon sinking and opening, a rectangular pit village formed with a central complex of allotments and pit ponds holding the water pumped from the levels. The Victoria Inn was also opened at the same time along the turnpike from Shields to Boldon. It was directly connected to the Harton branch line - only partially constructed in the 1850s as it featured a reverse siding for wagons to turn back towards the St Hilda's and Harton Staiths between the Shields shipyards. Thereafter however, the Harton Colliery Railway had opened allowing a through route via Westoe and St Hildas to the staiths free of bottlenecks.

On the 1890s maps, we see the pit snugged in between the new Union Workhouse and the newly developed infrastructure opened for the benefit of the pitmen who resided around it. Wesleyan, Anglican and Catholic churches popped up along Boldon Lane as well as schools and theatres. It wasn't long until the welfare ground was opened too immediately south around 1930.

The National Coal Board continued to operate the pit for 22 years until closure in 1969. 548 men were working her at the time, and all but 64 men were redeployed elsewhere. By the end the NCB stated it had failed to meet its objectives and that there were heavy financial losses.