South Tyneside has a rich industrial history.

Coal mining was the first large-scale non-agricultural industry to arrive and by 1794 a colliery was in operation in Hebburn. Coal mining remained in this area, where Sir Humphrey Davy tested his safety lamp, until the closure of the last pit in 1931.

Limestone has been quarried at Marsden since the early 19th Century and Marsden Limekilns were built in the 1870's. Limestone was burnt to make a quick or unslacked lime, which is used to add to cement to make mortar and is also important for the steel and chemicals industry. In 1870 Harton Coal Company built a railway linking Whitburn Colliery, Marsden Quarry and the Marsden Limekilns to a wider rail network at Westoe Colliery 3 miles north of the coast. Between 1885 and 1953 the railway operated a passenger service up and down the coast. The rolling stock was always fairly old which earned the nickname “The Marsden Rattler”.

Shipbuilding was a major influence in both the social and economic development of South Tyneside. Readheads Shipyard was a major source of job creation for shipyard workers and most family members and friends in the area worked there at one time or another. While in business the shipyard built over 600 ships mainly mercantile marine.

Other industry developments include the North and South Piers, which the foundations for were laid in 1854 and a railway was constructed. It was not until 1985 that they were completed. The Groyne pier was built in 1882 to stop the beach being swept into the river by the incoming tide and Tyne Dock was opened in 1859 with the capacity to hold 500 vessels.