The Steps at the South Landing of Frost's Ferry, Coxgreen

Looking upstream towards Victoria Bridge

Ferryman using a 'draw wire' to guide his Boat to The South Landing at Coxgreen, 1920s.

"These draw wires were a bone of contention over the years because they had to be uncoupled to
allow other river traffic, such as keelboats, to pass by.  I have read of a keelman
being thrown into the river after coming into contact with such a wire."

[ Comments from Postcard owner, Keith Cockerill ]

The South Landing of Frost's Ferry, Coxgreen, circa 1900

[ Postcard courtesy of owner, Dr Stafford Linsley ]

The North Landing of Frost's Ferry, Coxgreen, circa 1900

Note Barmston Hilltop House and Washington Chemical Works Spoil Heap in the background.

Jean says:
The area around Hilltop House, accessed by steps behind the Terrace, was nicknamed 'Pittle Pot' / 'Piss Pot' Hill.
I'm told it got this name from the smell of the Middens.

The North Landing of Frost's Ferry, early 1900s.  High Barmston Farm is on the distant north bank.
1st & 2nd Buildings from the right can be easily identified in the above Postcard.

The lower steps leading down to Mr Frost's Ferry can be seen, bottom left.
The coal staith (above the vertical wall) was for Urpeth Colliery.
Only one building on the south bank survives,
The Oddfellows Arms!

[ Comments from Postcard owner, Keith Cockerill ]

FROST'S FERRY, COXGREEN 1953

In 1939 Mr John G. Frost was recorded as living at 2, Barmston Ferry
with his wife, Lilian E. Frost, and son, John W. Frost.

[ Northern Echo press cutting - posted courtesy of Washington History Society ]

FROST'S FERRY, COXGREEN 1953

[ Northern Echo press cutting - posted courtesy of Washington History Society ]

THE NORTH LANDING

Standing Room only for Ken & Mary Thompson!

The Frost Family lived at 2, Barmston Ferry - the house with the small porch facing the river.

THE 'FERRY COTTAGES' AT COXGREEN - 1969

( Thanks to Sunderland Antiquarian Society - Holders of the George Edwards Archive. )

•   •   ◊   •   •

THE FERRY BOAT CABIN AT COXGREEN

The Cabin is no longer with us in its entirety and is now a shrub / flower container.
I was once told that passengers paid their Ferry fare through the window
beside the green metal gate but I can't confirm if this is true.

[ Comments from Photographer: Keith Cockerill.  Picture: October 2003. ]

•   •   ◊   •   •

WOODEN PLAQUE
This Plaque depicts John Frost rowing his Barmston Ferry Boat across the River Wear.
In 2019, it still sits on the gateway to the property.

[ Comments from Photographer: Keith Cockerill.  Picture: 2007. ]