Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Former site of a listed building. Main construction periods 1853 to 1900The first Margate Jetty was built in 1824 of timber construction to a length of 1100 feet. It was referred to as the 'Jarvis Landing Stage'. It was breached in storms and between 1853 and 1857 a new 1,240 feet jetty was built, which is commonly known as Margate Pier. The pier was the first to be designed by Eugenius Birch, who was a pioneering influence in the construction of pleasure piers and went on to engineer a further 13 piers by 1884. Margate Pier was the first seaside pier to be built using Alexander Mitchell's iron screw-pile method of construction. Between 1875 and 1888, it was extended to the designs of George Gordon Page with the addition of a new octagonal pier-head and pavilion. Further additions were made in 1893 and 1900. During the Second World War the pier was used for troop and supply movements. The pier, primarily used as a landing stage for steamers, continued to serve this role as late as 1966. In 1975, the pier provided an amusement arcade at the shore end, a lifeboat station midway along and a small pavilion at the pier-head. It was Grade II listed at that time. However in 1976, the pier closed due to safety grounds and was largely destroyed by a storm on 11th January 1978

Monument Types

• PIER (Post Medieval to Modern - 1853 AD to 1978 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 37 SE 37:
TR 353712 Pier Jetty Extension Margate Pier was built in 1853-6 and was designed by Eugenius Birch. It was reputed to be the first pier using iron screw piles. It was extended in 1875-8 by G.G Page and an octagonal head was constructed, Further additions were made in 1893 and 1900. There is an amusement arcade at the shore end, a boat station midway along the pier and a small pavilion at the pier head. It is owned by Margate Pier and Harbour Co. 1812 (1,2). Margate Pier. Grade II. Built in 1853-6 and the first pier to be designed bu Eusebius Birch. It was extended by George Gordon Page in 1875-8, and again in 1893 and 1900. The head is hexagonal. There is a small marine station half-way down. Simple cast iron handrail. Modern amusement arcade at shore end. This pier is of technological interest as the first pier in which iron screw piles were used (3). TR 353712 Margate Pier. This pier built in 1853-6 has been recommended for listing as a Grade II structure (4). The Pier was closed in 1976 when deemed unsafe. Parts destroyed in 1978 storm, others demolished subsequently leaving an isolated pier head by 1982 which was removed some 2 years later (5). Mentioned in context with other inter-tidal sites see (6) and site photographs (7-20).

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
The following item shall be deleted from the list:
MARGATE Margate Pier TR 3571 SW 2/276A TR 37 SE 11/276A II
Margate Pier 1. 1380 TR3571SW 2/276A TR37SE 11/276A
II
2. Built in 1853-6 and the first pier to be designed by Eusebius Birch. It was extended by George Gordon Page in 1875-8, and again in 1893 and 1900. The head is hexagonal. There is a small marine station half-way down. Simple cast iron handrail. Modern amusement arcade at shore end. This pier is of technological interest as the first pier in which iron screw piles were used.
Listing NGR: TR3532471348 (21)

<1> OS 6" 1975 (OS Card Reference). SKE48380.

<2> CBA Panel on Indust Mons Pleasure Piers 1975 4 (OS Card Reference). SKE38786.

<3> DOE(HHR)Boro of Margate 1973 (Amendment) 52 (OS Card Reference). SKE41237.

<4> Ind Arch of SE Eng 1978 49 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE44236.

<5> Mickleburgh, T 1988 'Guide to British Piers' (2nd Ed.) p.40-1 (OS Card Reference). SKE47197.

<6> Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, 1994, Inter-tidal archaeology in Kent, p 34 (Unpublished document). SWX9353.

<7> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9658.

<8> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9671.

<9> 1948, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9722.

<10> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9901.

<11> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9925.

<12> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9927.

<13> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9929.

<14> 1941, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9990.

<15> 1941, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10096.

<16> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10147.

<17> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10148.

<18> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10149.

<19> 1992, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11783.

<20> 1949, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9726.

<21> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading