Laying the Foundation-Stone of the Low-Lights Dock at Tynemouth, 1864. Rain-soaked celebrations marking the start of work at the mouth of the River Tyne. The High and Low Lights of North Shields were leading lights - a pair of light beacons used in navigation to indicate a safe passage for vessels entering a shallow or dangerous channel. They were sometimes known as the Fish Quay High and Low Lights. The lights installed in the 1860s remained in use until 1999. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.