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There can be little doubt that it was the sinking operations at Radcliffe that gave the making of a harbour at Amble a practical turn. It is said that the idea first occurred to a local solicitor who migrated to London. Being actuated by the successful sinking operations at Radcliffe he induced a few wealthy friends to form a company to build a harbour at Amble. Consequently, in 1837, the Harbour Company was formed, and a parliamentary grant was obtained the same year, and from this, dates the real progress of Amble as an industrial centre.
The first Commissioners included the Earl of Newburgh and the trustees of his estate (owners of the Royalty) ; the lessees of Radcliffe Colliery who had the right to have two representatives on the Board of Commissioners, besides thirteen other gentlemen, three of whom were to be appointed by the Duke of Northumberland.
Five years were allowed to complete the harbour, but by an Act of Parliament, passed five years later, the time was extended for an additional five years, and no toll was to be demanded until £10,000 had been expended. The Duke of Northumberland, having successfully contended that the salmon fishing would be damaged by the making of a harbour, claimed and was awarded £10,000.
Out of the four plans submitted by competition to the famous engineer, Sir John Rennie, the one which culminated in the present harbour was adopted. Eventually the contract was let and the erstwhile obscure tiny village was suddenly invaded by crowds of workmen.
The contractor at an early stage of the proceedings built a rather pretentious domicile on the edge of the high cliff—a point of vantage which overlooked the whole scene of operations. Besides doing duty as a residence it was also the " Tommy Shop " where the workmen on the job procured their stores in lieu of wages prior to the passing of the " Truck Act." A large room in the building was also set apart for religious worship, and a Catholic priest from Longhorsely ministered to the spiritual needs of his co-religionists.
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