The fun day out that could have ended in disaster

TONY HENDERSON on how a day trip in this month 186 years ago went very wrong

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In keeping with Tyneside tradition, the day trippers who left North Shields were determined to have a good time on their outing to rural Northumberland.

On June 17 1839, what was described as a “numerous party” made a decidedly early start at 5am as they boarded the North Shields-owned Queen Victoria steamer for the excursion to Warkworth

By 11.30am the trippers were enjoying a “hearty country dance” - but the fun was not to last.

The ordeal of the revellers is revealed in one of the latest Facts of the Day - a series which is running as part of the North Shields 800th anniversary celebrations.

The task of unearthing 365 facts for daily consumption on social media including Facebook and North Tyneside Council's 800 website is being undertaken by Alan Fidler, David Young and Rachel Chapman.