Chemical Beach

During Seaham’s search for coal the Magnesian Limestone was said to be so thick that it was thought no amount of mining would ever find coal. It was, of course, eventually found and mining commenced in 1846, overseen by the third Marquis of Londonderry. The rail system and infrastructure was responsible for the distribution of Seaham’s coal across the whole country and directly to the harbour for export. At low tide, on Chemical Beach, these wheels from what remains of on old rail cart can be seen surrounded by large pieces of Magnesian Limestone, sat together like two silent reminders or monuments to an industry now gone, one that once hindered the initial finding of coal, one that facilitated the distribution of it, both facing the relentless tide together, as they slowly erode into the sea.