North Shields was evidently an active commercial place.  Shipbuilding was going on in the yards, and vessels were loading with coals, bound to all parts of the world, each with a number of keels, or oval boats, alongside, which had brought down the coal from the upper part of the river.  On board the vessels cranes were at work lifting up tubs of coal from out of the keels, and depositing them in their holds.  Of these keels I shall have more to say by-and-by.  Steamers emitting black wreaths of smoke were coming and going,--some towing vessels out to sea, others taking them up the harbour; while several were conveying passengers.  After breakfast we went on board one of the passenger vessels, for papa and Uncle Tom did not wish to carry the yachts higher up.