The Tyne was crossed by two ferries called the east and the west boats (Warden Bridge).

In 1774 a new attempt was made 50 yards (46 m) to the west by Mr Wooler, an engineer who had been working on the new Newcastle bridge.

Piles were sunk to carry the piers but work was abandoned on discovering that the "soil beneath the gravel was a quicksand with no more resistance than chaff".

Although the half-completed piers were washed away the following year, work continued and the new bridge was opened to traffic in 1780.

Robert Mylne, a famous architect and engineer, was called in to report on the feasibility of rebuilding Smeaton's bridge.