65 Years on a Ferry Boat
Evening Telegraph, Tuesday 26th November 1929

Lament of Veteran Sculler, Joe Scott, at age 79, remembering better years on the Ryton Ferry.

Mr Scott' tells about the big flood of the River Tyne which took place 22 years ago [1907] which washed away his house on the northern bank. There is a photo on the blog provided by Chris Richardson of the badly damaged ferry house taken just after this event.

Joe Scott's father, Archibald Scott, was born in Newburn in 1828. On the 1841 Census, age 14, his address is given as Ryton Fishery. The 1851 Census gives his occupation as Salmon Fisherman. In 1861, Archibald is  living in Ryton with his wife Ann (age 33, born Ryton) and four children, Joshua S (10), Eleanor (8), Margaret (6) and George (4). He is listed on the 1901 Census (age 73) still giving his occupation as Ferryman living at Ryton Island, Ryton, Gateshead. Archibold Scott died in 1905.

Joshua, presumably Joe in the article above, is listed at White Well Lane in Ryton in 1881 (age 30), giving his occupation as Banksman . He is married to Mary (29, born Tow Law) and has two sons: Archibald (5) and Robert William (3). He lists his occupation as Fisherman in 1891, Salmon Fisherman in 1901, and Ferryman In 1911.