3-043-800 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new pier at Hastings, [Sussex], 1872. 'This pier is one of those designed by Mr. Eugenius Birch, consisting of a series of cast-iron columns, fixed in the bottom with screw piles, supporting wrought-iron diagonal girders, upon which is laid a broad wooden deck...The entire length from the shore is 910 ft...The saloon or pavilion, in an Oriental style of architecture, is 150 ft. long by 100 ft. wide...It will hold 2000 persons...There are two entrances to the pier, one at each side; between them is a large square space left open, and the passage at each entrance is over an iron grating, instead of the close deck planking, to prevent damage to the pier from the sea, which sometimes in a gale of wind strikes the wall here with very great force. The sides of the pier are occupied with a continuous line of seating...The landing-stages...afford convenience to yachts or pleasure-boats, for landing and embarking, in any state of the tide; at the head of the pier, in the lowest tides of the year, there is a depth of 8 ft. to 5 ft. The pier commands a beautiful view of the coast from Fairlight to Bexhill. This pier has been constructed by a local company, with a capital of £25,000. The contractors are Messrs. R. Laidlaw and Sons, of Glasgow'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.