3-011-572 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Opening of the new pier at Deal, [in Kent], 1864. 'There was a great concourse of spectators...to witness this ceremony, which was performed by Mrs. Hugessen, wife of the borough member, who had himself, in April, 1863, in augurated the commencement of the work. The lady took her seat in a chair which was placed on a truck and drawn along the tramway to the end of the pier. She then declared the pier opened, and congratulated the Deal and Walmer Pier Company, as well as the town of Deal, upon the completion of this useful structure...Lord Clarence Paget highly commended the erection of this pier to give a readier access to the shore from the Downs roadstead, and hinted that if the charges were not too exorbitant the Government might be disposed to use the Deal pier tor the embarkation of troops. It is expected that this accommodation will induce many persons to land at Deal from ships passing up the Channel. The pier was designed by Mr. Eugenius Birch, engineer of the pier at Blackpool. It has been constructed...by Messrs. R. Laidlaw...[It] is constructed of wrought and cast iron, and is supported upon cast-iron columns, which are screwed into the ground. The pier is 1100 ft. long...in the centre is a tramway for conveying goods and luggage'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.