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Great Yarmouth

Piers, Excursion Boats and more


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This page shows images of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, including the piers, excursion vessels and more


Wellington Pier

The Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier was opened on the 31st October 1853 and the 700 feet (210m) wooden structure had cost £6,776 to build. The pier was designed by P. Ashcroft. In its first year open the pier was a huge success and made an impressive profit for then, of £581. Five years later a second pier was built close to the Wellington which had a very large financial effect on the profitability of the pier. By 1899 Great Yarmouth Corporation bailed out the failing business for the sum of £1,250 and had plans to improve the entertainment and amusement of the pier. On 13 July 1903 a new Pavilion was opened and a failed Winter gardens was bought from Torquay and was incorporated into the design of the pier.

In 1971, the seaward end was completely renewed at a cost of £30,000. In 1975, further funds were allocated for urgent maintenance. In 1986, the council's Commercial Management and Estates committee recommended demolition of the loss-making pier on the grounds that a £1 million pound redevelopment could not be justified. This led to public protests and new ideas. The council decided to lease the pier's operations. The entertainer Jim Davidson took over the lease between 1996 and 2002, but was unable to halt the pier's deterioration and it was eventually taken over by the present owners, Family amusements Ltd.

The pier eventually had to be closed for improvement and extensive restoration works. Work commenced in 2004, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, under the Townscape Heritage Initiative. This included the removal of asbestos cladding and then the refurbishment of the steel and timber substructure and decking. The pier is now open and houses an amusement arcade, casino, a fully automatic bowling alley, ice cream parlour and gift shop.
(ref: Wikipedia & www.piers.org.uk)



Britannia Pier
The Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier was first proposed in 1856 and work began in September 1857. A.W.Morant was the engineer. The 700 foot structure opened on 13th July 1858. The length of the pier was reduced by a ship collision in 1859 and storm damage in 1868. It was demolished in 1899. A replacement was started on 13th December 1900 to the design of Joseph and Arthur Mayoh. The 810 foot pier deck and temporary pavilion opened in 1901. This pavilion was replaced with the grand first pavilion which opened on 21st June 1902. This was, however, destroyed by fire on 22nd December 1909. The second pavilion designed by Douglass & Arnott was completed in 1910, but was itself burnt down on 17th April 1914, allegedly by the Suffragettes, who had been refused permission to hold a meeting there. Within three months a third pavilion had been built, opening on 27th July.

The Floral Hall Ballroom was opened in May 1928 but was wrecked by fire on 3rd August 1932. A new Grand Ballroom opened in 1933, but this too was destroyed by fire on 20th April 1954, along with the third pavilion. The pier was closed and sectioned during the war. It re-opened in 1947 after repairs. The present pavilion opened on 27th June 1958, but the Ballroom (called the Ocean Ballroom from 1947) was never replaced. Previously owned by First Leisure plc, the pier was sold to the present owners, Family Amusements Ltd, in 1995. The Britannia Pier still provides popular live theatre shows and boasts a range of food outlets, bars, amusements and rides.
(ref: Wikipedia & www.piers.org.uk)



Great Yarmouth Jetty
Great Yarmouth jetty was originally constructed in 1560 as a place to land fish, and import and export goods. At the time the town was a major trading and fishing port, and the harbour was continually silting up, forcing new outlets to the sea to be cut. The jetty, which in the early days had a crane at the east end, provided a reliable means of loading and unloading boats.

The jetty was rebuilt in 1701, but 100 feet of it was swept away in 1767 and later carried away by storm in 1791. The entire structure was nearly destroyed by a storm in 1805. It was rebuilt without a crane in 1809, and was lengthened in 1846 and again in 1870. A glass roof was added in 1927 which was then declared unsafe and removed in 1959. In 1961, the timber structure was entirely replaced with a metal version. None of the original timbers of the jetty survived, with the possible exception of the timber piles.

Nelson landed at the original jetty structure in 1800 after the Battle of the Nile. The following year, Nelson embarked from the jetty to sail with the fleet to the Battle of Copenhagen, and disembarked there after the battle to visit the wounded at the nearby Naval Hospital in Yarmouth. During the Napoleonic Wars, the fleet was frequently assembled in Yarmouth Roads sheltered waters because ships were too large to enter the harbour, and would be too vulnerable to attack there. Officers, men and stores were transported to and from their ships from the jetty. In 1813 William III landed at the jetty when attempting to raise Dutch troops to oppose Napoleon Bonaparte.

The jetty has also been used in modern wars, and there was a small gun emplacement - two Bren guns - at the end of the jetty during the second world war. The structure was also partially demolished to stop it being used by potential invaders in the second world war.

The jetty has been a favourite subject for artists including John Constable. (ref: www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk)




 

Sections on this Page
 

Associated Pages

References
   www.piers.org.uk - National Piers Society
   www.britannia-pier.co.uk - official Wellington Pier website
   www.wellington-pier.co.uk - official Wellington Pier website



Great Yarmouth

Piers, Excursion Boats and more


All images link to larger copies which will open in a new window/tab







Britannia Pier Postcards
Opened 1858

The Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier was first proposed in 1856 and work began in September 1857. A.W.Morant was the engineer. The 700 foot structure opened on 13th July 1858. The length of the pier was reduced by a ship collision in 1859 and storm damage in 1868. It was demolished in 1899.

A replacement was started on 13th December 1900 to the design of Joseph and Arthur Mayoh. The 810 foot pier deck and temporary pavilion opened in 1901. This pavilion was replaced with the grand first pavilion which opened on 21st June 1902. This was, however, destroyed by fire on 22nd December 1909. The second pavilion designed by Douglass & Arnott was completed in 1910, but was itself burnt down on 17th April 1914, allegedly by the Suffragettes, who had been refused permission to hold a meeting there. Within three months a third pavilion had been built, opening on 27th July.

The Floral Hall Ballroom was opened in May 1928 but was wrecked by fire on 3rd August 1932. A new Grand Ballroom opened in 1933, but this too was destroyed by fire on 20th April 1954, along with the third pavilion. The pier was closed and sectioned during the war. It re-opened in 1947 after repairs. The present pavilion opened on 27th June 1958, but the Ballroom (called the Ocean Ballroom from 1947) was never replaced.

Previously owned by First Leisure plc, the pier was sold to the present owners, Family Amusements Ltd, in 1995. The Britannia Pier still provides popular live theatre shows and boasts a range of food outlets, bars, amusements and rides.
.
(ref: Wikipedia & www.piers.org.uk)




Postcard of Britannia Pier



Postcard of Britannia Pier
GREAT YARMOUTH - BRITANNIA PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of Britannia Pier with buses
GREAT YARMOUTH - BRITANNIA PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Britannia Pier Images


Wellington Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012
BRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukBRITANNIA PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Great Yarmouth Jetty Postcards
Originally Built 1560


Great Yarmouth jetty was originally constructed in 1560 as a place to land fish, and import and export goods. At the time the town was a major trading and fishing port, and the harbour was continually silting up, forcing new outlets to the sea to be cut. The jetty, which in the early days had a crane at the east end, provided a reliable means of loading and unloading boats.

The jetty was rebuilt in 1701, but 100 feet of it was swept away in 1767 and later carried away by storm in 1791. The entire structure was nearly destroyed by a storm in 1805. It was rebuilt without a crane in 1809, and was lengthened in 1846 and again in 1870. A glass roof was added in 1927 which was then declared unsafe and removed in 1959. In 1961, the timber structure was entirely replaced with a metal version. None of the original timbers of the jetty survived, with the possible exception of the timber piles.

Nelson landed at the original jetty structure in 1800 after the Battle of the Nile. The following year, Nelson embarked from the jetty to sail with the fleet to the Battle of Copenhagen, and disembarked there after the battle to visit the wounded at the nearby Naval Hospital in Yarmouth. During the Napoleonic Wars, the fleet was frequently assembled in Yarmouth Roads sheltered waters because ships were too large to enter the harbour, and would be too vulnerable to attack there. Officers, men and stores were transported to and from their ships from the jetty. In 1813 William III landed at the jetty when attempting to raise Dutch troops to oppose Napoleon Bonaparte.

The jetty has also been used in modern wars, and there was a small gun emplacement - two Bren guns - at the end of the jetty during the second world war. The structure was also partially demolished to stop it being used by potential invaders in the second world war.

The jetty has been a favourite subject for artists including John Constable. (ref: www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk)



Postcards of Great Yarmouth Jetty
GREAT YARMOUTH JETTY - www.simplonpc.co.uk GREAT YARMOUTH JETTY - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Wellington Pier Postcards
Opened 1853

The Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier was opened on the 31st October 1853 and the 700 feet (210m) wooden structure had cost £6,776 to build. The pier was designed by P. Ashcroft. In its first year open the pier was a huge success and made an impressive profit for then, of £581. Five years later a second pier was built close to the Wellington which had a very large financial effect on the profitability of the pier. By 1899 Great Yarmouth Corporation bailed out the failing business for the sum of £1,250 and had plans to improve the entertainment and amusement of the pier. On 13 July 1903 a new Pavilion was opened and a failed Winter gardens was bought from Torquay and was incorporated into the design of the pier.

In 1971, the seaward end was completely renewed at a cost of £30,000. In 1975, further funds were allocated for urgent maintenance. In 1986, the council's Commercial Management and Estates committee recommended demolition of the loss-making pier on the grounds that a £1 million pound redevelopment could not be justified. This led to public protests and new ideas. The council decided to lease the pier's operations. The entertainer Jim Davidson took over the lease between 1996 and 2002, but was unable to halt the pier's deterioration and it was eventually taken over by the present owners, Family amusements Ltd.

The pier eventually had to be closed for improvement and extensive restoration works. Work commenced in 2004, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, under the Townscape Heritage Initiative. This included the removal of asbestos cladding and then the refurbishment of the steel and timber substructure and decking. The pier is now open and houses an amusement arcade, casino, a fully automatic bowling alley, ice cream parlour and gift shop.

(ref: Wikipedia & www.piers.org.uk)




Postcard of Wellington Pier and Winter Gardens
GREAT YARMOUTH - WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcards of Wellington Pier and Winter Gardens - two similar variations
GREAT YARMOUTH - WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk GREAT YARMOUTH - WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of Wellington Pier and Winter Gardens
GREAT YARMOUTH - WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of Winter Gardens and Wellington Pier
GREAT YARMOUTH - WINTER GARDENS at the WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Postcard of the Winter Gardens at the Wellington Pier - with trams
GREAT YARMOUTH - WINTER GARDENS at the WELLINGTON PIER - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Wellington Pier Images


Wellington Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012
WELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk




Wellington Pier Winter Garden
Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012
WELLINGTON PIER WINTER GARDEN - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER WINTER GARDEN - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER WINTER GARDEN - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukWELLINGTON PIER WINTER GARDEN - Great Yarmouth - Photo: © Ian Boyle,12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Great Yarmouth Dotto Trains

Great Yarmouth has quite a network of road train services with at least three genuine Dotto Trains in operation. At least three trains were in service on both a promenade route and a ''heritage' route. I could not find any paper publicity, nor a website. The two trains illustrated below were on the Promenade route. A yellow/orange train worked the Heritage route.


Great Yarmouth Promenade Dotto Train E301WCL
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012
GT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk




Great Yarmouth Promenade Dotto Train T590WYJ
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012
GT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk GT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.ukGT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk  GT YARMOUTH DOTTO TRAIN - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th July 2012 - www.simplonpc.co.uk















Harold Jordan - New and Old Shipping Postcards for Sale - www.hjcards.co.ukOcean Liner Society - www.ocean-liner-society.comCarmania Press - Quality Passenger Shipping Books -  www.carmaniapress.co.ukThe Liquid Highway - River Thames Website - www.riverthames.co.nrWillem Johan Hoendervanger - Superb Maritime Paintings - www.wjmaritiem.nlOverview Press - www.overviewpress.co.uk - Specialist Passenger Shipping BooksMike Louagie - Fantastic Maritime Photographer - www.louagie.beMaritime Photographic - Superb Shipping Photography - www.maritimephotographic.co.ukCOASTAL CRUISING ASSOCIATION - www.cruisingmonthly.comFerry Publications - www.ferrypubs.co.uk - Leading European Publisher of Ferry BooksNATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS REGISTER - www.nationalhistoricships.org.ukWORLD SHIP SOCIETY - worldshipsociety.orgShippax - Ship Information, Databases, Publications, Magazines - www.shippax.seNautiques - Your gateway to the rich past of ocean liner nautical antiques - www.nautiques.netMarius Bar - Historic and new photos from long established French photographers - www.mariusbar-photo.comPADDLE STEAMERS - A Unique Heritage - www.heritagesteamers.co.ukDonAnd Maritime - www.donandmaritime.com - Cruise & Ferry News and CollectablesSeapixonline - Image GalleryGORDON HISLIP - Irish Sea Photography - www.gordonhislip.comOld and New Postcards for Sale - www.raeth.chJOHN EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHY - johneaglephotograpy.comShips Monthly - Shipping Magazine - www.shipsmonthly.comRisawoleska - 1:1250 Ship Models - www.risawoleska.comMaritime Images - Poole Images - www.maritimeimages.co.ukP&O HERITAGE - Official P&O Heritage Website - www.poheritage.comMaritime Matters - www.maritimematters.com

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