Central Pier, Morecambe

This was the first of two piers in Morecambe, the other being West End Pier.

It was 912 feet (278 m) long. Opened in 1869. Two significant fires occurred, one in 1933, and another in 1991, leading to its demolition in 1992.

See Wikipedia entry.

1869 'OPENING OF THE NEW PIER AT MORECAMBE. Some time ago a few gentlemen interested in the prosperity of Morecambe, conceived the idea of establishing a company with a view of erecting a pier similar those Blackpool and Southport, and the Morecambe Pier Company was formed, and the site selected for the pier was opposite the Queen’s Terrace. Mr. Gradwell, of Barrow, was selected as the contractor. Plans were prepared Lt. Colonel Mawson, C.E., of Manchester, and about nine months ago the directors performed the operation of screwing down the first pile. The estimated cost of the works was £10,000. Scarcely had operations commenced, before an offer of a pier which had been intended, we believe, for some foreign port, was made to the directors; and as it possessed advantages over the original design, inasmuch it would afford far greater accommodation at less cost, that pier was purchased, the first plan was set aside, and another was prepared by the engineer. Although this change caused some weeks' delay in proceeding with the work, and notwithstanding the boisterous weather which has been experienced during the past winter, it is pleasing find that the contractor has succeeded in completing the pier by the time originally intended, and the formal opening of it took place on Thursday.
The pier is in the form of the letter T; and its total length is 900 feet. The approach is level with the parapet, nearly opposite the Mechanics’ Institute, but gradually rises for a length of 70 feet, when the visitor reaches the main promenade, which is about 7 feet above the level of the esplanade. The entrance gate is about 30 feet up the incline, and on either side there is an ornamental turnstile, as well a toll-house. There are upwards of 40 globular lamps on the pier, 24 which are supported on ornamental pillars —12 on each side — seven at the head being similarly constructed The pier stands upon some 120 iron columns, 12 inches in diameter, and about 40 feet apart, except at the pier head, where they are much closer. At regular intervals there are “ties" or rods attached to the columns in a variety of forms. The landing stages are eight in number, and by means of these passengers will enabled to go on board or leave steamers or boats at any height of the tide. The entire pier has an area of upwards 30,000 superficial square feet, and is supposed to accommodate 4000 persons. The pier is admitted by competent judges to be one of the handsomest in the North of England; and, to use the language of the directors in their report, it may justly denominated "the greatest acquisition to the most important watering-place on Morecambe Bay." It may interesting to know that 360 tons of wrought iron, 112 tons of cast iron, and 12,550 cubic feet of timber have beens used in the construction of the pier. The directors are ....'

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