3-011-576 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Laying the foundation-stone of Brean Down Breakwater, Weston-Super-Mare, 1864. 'View of...the moment when the stone was lowered from the little steam-boat the Wye, on board which a company of about two hundred ladies and gentlemen were assembled. The immersion of this stone took place at a distance of some hundred yards from the shore, in about 70 ft. of water. It was greeted with loud cheering by a multitude of people on land, as well as by those afloat in the numerous boats which hovered around. Flags were hoisted, a salute of cannon was fired, and a band of music on board the Wye struck up a triumphant strain. Lady Eardley Wilmot then read an appropriate address, and the stone was left with a buoy moored above the spot where it lies...The want of a harbour of refuge, if not of a commercial port and packet station, in this part of the Bristol Channel has long been acknowledged. The site of Brean Down Harbour seems to be well adapted for the purpose. It is sheltered by a vast natural promontory stretching a mile and a half into the sea, and has never less than three fathoms of water at low spring tides'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.