It seems like the 1870s was when oysters were disappearing, according to the Alnwick Mercury in 1874. Native oysters had been over dredged and were in danger of becoming extinct, so the word was out that oysters had to be given up. Before that however.....
Morpeth Herald, 8 June 1861:
"The active and discriminating benevolence of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, which is directed with quite as much interest to the "huts where poor men lie" as to the noblest and most imposing institutions of the land, is always finding out new objects of public utility. On learning that the fishermen find much difficulty and spend a great amount of time and labour in procuring bait, His Grace has turned his attention to the formation of mussel beds along the coast for their use; and a most experienced person has been engaged in this highly useful undertaking, while another from Billingsgate-the classic region of fish and of muscular and vernacular English-is at present occupied in making oyster beds at Alnmouth, in the extensive slake formed by the estuary of the Aln. This pleasant bathing place-with a beach for promenading unrivalled on the Northumbrian coast-was lighted with gas during last winter; and in connection with the gas works, a suite of rooms have been built, containing salt water, hot, cold, and shower baths, which will add greatly to the accommodation and requirements of those who visit it during the summer months."
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