Stone Pier facts for kids
Stone Pier, also known as South Pier, is a long structure that stretches into the water. It is located on the southern side of Weymouth Harbour in Dorset, England. The pier reaches out from the Nothe Peninsula, which is also home to the historic Nothe Fort and the lovely Nothe Gardens. Today, Stone Pier is a popular spot for people who enjoy fishing and taking walks by the sea.
The Story of Stone Pier
The building of Stone Pier began a long time ago, in the 1700s. Back then, it was much shorter than it is today. Originally, loose stones were placed in the water to form a "breakwater." A breakwater is like a wall that helps protect the harbour from big waves. This stone breakwater stretched out about 370 feet from the pier.
A special buoy was placed at the end of the breakwater. This was important because the stones would sometimes be covered by water during high tide.
Storms and Rebuilding
In 1824, some very big storms hit the area. These storms caused a lot of damage to the pier. Because of this damage, the pier had to be rebuilt to make it strong again.
Later, in 1876, more work was done on the pier. It was extended by another 250 feet, following the line of the old stone breakwater. This longer pier offered even better protection for Weymouth Pier (which is on the opposite side of the harbour) and for all the boats using the harbour.
Modern Updates
The pier was made even longer in the 1910s. A tower was built at the very end of the pier. This tower holds a special light that helps ships navigate safely into the harbour, especially at night.
In the 1980s, the pier needed more repairs. After some storms caused damage, workers reinforced the structure to make it stronger and safer.
