Redcar Pier facts for kids
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| Type | Victorian pleasure and landing pier |
|---|---|
| Spans | North Sea |
| Locale | The Esplanade, Redcar, Redcar and Cleveland |
| Owner | Redcar Pier Company / Langbaurgh Council |
| Operator | Redcar Pier Company |
| Total length | 1,300 feet (396 m) originally |
| Width | 20 feet (6.1 m) widening to 65 feet (19.8 m) at the pierhead |
| Destruction date | 1980 |
| Coordinates | 54°37′09″N 1°03′27″W / 54.6193°N 1.0576°W |
The Redcar Pier was a long structure built out into the sea from the town of Redcar in Yorkshire, England. It was a popular spot for fun and for boats to dock. This pier was built during the Victorian era, a time when many piers were constructed around the coast of Britain.
Contents
Building the Redcar Pier
How the Idea Started
The idea to build Redcar Pier first came up in 1866. A group called the Redcar Pier Company was formed on August 2nd to make it happen. They even got special permission from Parliament to start building.
At first, not many people were excited about the project. But then, plans were made for a pier in the nearby town of Coatham. This made people in Redcar more interested in building their own pier.
Getting the Money and Design
The money for the pier came from selling shares to people who wanted to invest. The Earl of Zetland also gave a generous donation to help fund the project.
The pier was designed by J.E. and A. Dowson, who were engineers from Westminster. The company Head Wrightson was chosen to build it, and they started work on August 28, 1871.
Construction Details
Workers drove strong cast iron poles, about 9-inch (22.9 cm) wide, deep into the rock using heavy machinery. These poles were the main supports for the pier. Pairs of columns were added to the poles, spaced about 30 feet (9.1 m) apart.
The very first pole was put into the ground in a special ceremony. Rear Admiral Chaloner, who led the Redcar Pier Company, did the honors. The pier was officially opened by Mrs. Dawson of Weston Hall.
Pier Features and Opening Day
The main part of the pier was 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. At the very end, it widened to a pier head that was 65 feet (19.8 m) wide and 114 feet (34.7 m) long. There was also a separate platform for steamships to dock.
A bandstand was built on the pier where bands could play music. It was covered and protected, and could hold up to 700 people. When it was first built, the pier was 1,300 feet (396 m) long. At the entrance, there were three round kiosks for selling tickets and for restrooms. The pier needed to be this long to reach water that was 10 feet (3.0 m) deep at low tide, so ships could always dock.
The Redcar Pier was finished by 1873 and cost £11,000. It officially opened on June 2, 1873, with Rear Admiral Chaloner doing the honors again.
Life and Challenges of the Pier
Damage from Storms and Ships
Piers built over the sea often face tough weather. In 1880, a ship called the Luna was pushed ashore during a storm. Later, when it was refloated, the remains of the Luna were driven right through the pier during another storm on October 30, 1880.
In 1885, a paddle steamer named SS Cochrane hit and destroyed the pier's landing stage. This part of the pier was never rebuilt. Then, in 1897, an abandoned Norwegian ship called the Amarant caused a 60 feet (18.3 m) gap in the pier, but it was repaired.
Fire and Changes
In August 1898, the pier head saloon (a large hall) and the bandstand caught fire. This caused a lot of damage, costing between £1,000 and £1,500 to fix. The pier head was repaired, but the bandstand was not rebuilt.
In 1907, a new ballroom was added to the pier. This ballroom was made even bigger in 1928, extending towards the land. It also included a cafe or tearoom. The original three round kiosks at the entrance were replaced with two new square ones.
World War II and Decline
During World War II, in 1940, a long section of the pier was removed. This was done as a safety measure, in case of an invasion. The pier was further damaged by storms and an exploding mine during the war.
The End of the Pier
Post-War Years
After the war, in 1946, the Redcar council bought the pier for £4,500. However, the pier was never fully repaired. Instead, it was allowed to slowly fall apart. Big storms along the East coast in 1953 caused even more damage.
In 1978, another storm caused more of the pier to break away. The coastguard hut at the end of the pier had to be moved. The coastguard then set up their station on the roof of the Zetland Lifeboat Museum.
A special Wurlitzer organ was put into the pier ballroom in August 1978. It was used for about 18 months. But it had to be removed when the sea caused even more damage to the pier.
Demolition
In 1980, the Langbaurgh Borough Council decided the pier was too unsafe. They sold the pier for just £250 to be scrapped. The demolition work happened over the end of 1980 and early 1981. By March 1981, the site was completely cleared. The pier's final length before it was taken down was only 87 feet (26.5 m).
Today, a blue plaque on a brick wall along the Esplanade marks where the Redcar Pier once stood.
