Southport Pier - Stormy Times

 

The poor old pier has seen some turbulent times. 

In April 1852 a Southport Pier committee was formed.  

Later in 1859 (March 17th) a public meeting was directed by Dr. Peter Wood, J. P., Chairman of the Improvement Commissioners. It was decided therein to form a company and immediately begin the construction of a pier with a fixed capital of £8,000.

On August 14th 1859, the first pile of the Southport Pier was driven in. A sizable crowd looked on, to witness this initial stage of construction. 

On August 2nd,1860, the pier was opened with a given length of 1,200 yards. Mr. James Brunlees was the engineer. Manchester men W. and J. Galloway were the contractors.

In 1862, October 18th a full-rigged ship called the Ann E. Hooper, met a terrific storm and was driven on to the Horsebank, off Southport.

The Lytham lifeboat was towed out by a paddle tug and arrived at the stricken vessel just before the Jessie Knowles (Southport’s lifeboat) and took off the pilot and twelve of the crew. 

*The Jessie Knowles brought away the captain and three others of the crew, which had numbered twenty in all. Two people were washed overboard in the storm, and two had lost their lives in the attempt to launch the lifeboat. Source: annals of Southport and District. 

The unfortunate ship had been on a voyage from Baltimore, Maryland, to Liverpool.  The ship broke up, and a portion of the vessel was smashed against Southport Pier, carrying away one of the pillars supporting that structure.

On 1 August, 1865, the Pier Company was sued. 

This was after a fatal accident on the Pier had occurred. Mrs. Frances Bateman and her brother-in-law, Mr. John Anderton, had been riding in one of the tramcars, when it came off the line. Mrs Bateman was flung from her seat and dashed through the railings. She died within twenty- four hours. Mr. Anderton was seriously injured. Bateman's legal representatives successfully sued the Pier Company for this accident. 

The historical icon which is Southport Pier has seen many harsh times. Today, with the ongoing controversy over pier repairs many people are wondering what will come next! 

*Accounts are sometimes confusing and appear to vary with many historical reports of such wrecks, so please bear this in mind.