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Clacton Pier

St Osyth - Jaywick - Point Clear - Martello Towers


This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Clacton Pier in Essex, plus local Martello towers, Jaywick and St Osyth.
 
Clacton-on-Sea is the largest town on the Tendring Peninsula, in Essex, England and was founded in 1871. It is located between Jaywick and Holland-on-sea along the coastline and Great Clacton to the north. The current local authority is Tendring District Council.
 
Clacton-on-Sea was founded by Peter Schuyler Bruff in 1871 as a seaside resort. Peter Bruff also had interests in Walton-on-the-Naze, Felixstowe and Harwich. He was also manager and engineer of the Eastern Union Railway. The railway finally reached Clacton in 1882, until which time the main means of access was by sea. Excursion paddle steamers berthed at Clacton Pier, which was the first building of the new resort of Clacton-on-Sea. It officially opened on 27 July 1871 and was 480 feet in length and 12 feet wide. The pier was originally built as a landing point for goods and passengers, but soon became popular for promenading. By the 1890s Clacton was becoming an increasingly popular destination for day trippers and in 1893 the pier was lengthened to 1180ft (360m), to allow steamer calls at all states of tide. Entertainment facilities including a pavilion and a waiting room were added. Between 1897 and 1915, the pier was owned by the Coast Development Company, who also owned the Belle Steamers which brought many of the visitors.
 
In 1922 the pier was bought by Ernest Kingsman and remained in the ownership of the Kingsman family until 1971. Kingsman was to instigate numerous additions that included the immediate construction of the Blue Lagoon Dance Hall and the Lifeboat House. The construction of the Ocean Theatre was completed in 1928, the widening of the pier deck followed in 1931 and the building of the Crystal Casino and swimming pool was added a year later, in 1932. Being situated on the East Coast, the Second World War saw the inevitable sectioning of the pier neck in 1940 for fear of German invasion, along with the demolition of the Crystal Casino and the children's theatre. Although the pier neck was repaired on the cessation of hostilities, the demolished buildings were never replaced. Clacton Pier has had several post-war owners who have included the New Walton Pier Company, Austrian Automatics and E & M Harrison Ltd.
 
From 1971 to 1985 dolphins and killer whales were kept and displayed on the pier, on the site of the former open air swimming pool. A fire in 1973 destroyed the roller coaster. The pier suffered major storm damage in 1978, 1979 and 1987. In March 2009 the pier was purchased by the Clacton Pier Company, who installed a new focal point on the pier, a 50ft helter-skelter. The helter-skelter was built in 1949 and was featured in a 2008/2009 Marks & Spencer's television advert. The huge amusement halls and bars ensure that the modern Clacton Pier is not for the traditionalist, but the open decks beyond are now largely open and unspoilt. A post-war concrete jetty extension still allows calls by the paddle steamer Waverley
 
 
Sections on this Page:-
Clacton Pier Postcards
Clacton Pier Photographs
Clacton Jetty Postcards
Excursion Vessels at Clacton
Belle Steamers
New Medway SP Co
PS Waverley
 
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Clacton Pier

All images link to larger copies



Clacton Pier Postcards


Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer leaving



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving - note removal of toll both and new tea kiosk compared to card above



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer leaving



Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier, posted 1907



Postcard of Belle Steamer arriving at Clacton Pier



Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier, posted 1912



Postcard of Clacton Pier in a storm



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Alternative copy of the card above



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Before expansion - compare width to next card



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier
After expansion - compare width to previous card



Postcard of Clacton Pier Entrance



Postcard of Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier
Paddle steamer arriving - pier much expanded since earlier views



Postcard of Clacton Pier from the east
Scan: Richard Greenwood



Postcard of Clacton Pier at night



Postcard of Clacton Pier and the West Beach
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973



Postcard of Clacton Pier and the West Beach
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973



Post war Aero Pictorial postcard of Clacton Pier
Rochester Queen (2) berthed at the pier head. She ran from 1947-1960



Postcard of Clacton Pier from the west with Viking Saga at the jetty
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973



Postcard of Clacton Pier entrance, dated 1959



Postcard of Clacton Pier from the west with Viking Saga at the jetty
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973



Colour postcard of Clacton Pier from the west in the 1970s
The Steel Stella roller coaster was destroyed by fire in1973






Clacton Pier Photographs
 
Clacton Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th June 2006



Clacton Pier from the south
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
CLACTON PIER - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006CLACTON PIER - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006CLACTON PIER - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006CLACTON PIER - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006CLACTON PIER - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006



Clacton Pier from Waverley
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd October 2006






Clacton Jetty Postcards
 
Clacton Jetty was demolished in 1940.
 
 
Postcard of Clacton Jetty posted 1915






Excursion Vessels at Clacton
 
Postcard of sailing excursion boats at Clacton Pier



Postcard of Clacton Pier from the west with Viking Saga at the jetty
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973



Postcard of Clacton Pier with Viking Saga at the jetty






Belle Steamers
 
Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier



Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier
Alternative copy of the card above



Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier



Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier



Postcard of Belle Steamer arriving at Clacton Pier






New Medway SP Co
Postcard of Queen of Thanet or Queen of Kent arriving at Clacton Pier



Postcard of Queen of the Channel (1) at Clacton in the 1930s
Card wrongly titled Maid of the Channel



Postcard of Rochester Queen (2) at Clacton.



Aero Pictorial postcard of Clacton Pier
Rochester Queen (2) berthed at the pier head. She ran from 1947-1960






PS Waverley
 
Waverley arriving at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
PS WAVERLEY - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006




Waverley arriving at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd October 2006




Waverley at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd October 2006






Clacton Martello Towers

The 29 east coast Martello Towers were completed by 1808, in case of invasion by Napoleon. 18 of these survive, with Towers C, D, E and F being in Clacton.


Martello Tower C

Tower C has been restored and is in use as an arts centre.
Website:-  www.jaywickmartellotower.org



Martello Tower C at Jaywick
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower C - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Martello Tower D

Martello Tower D
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
Martello Tower D - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower D - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower D - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Martello Tower E

Martello Tower E
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
Martello Tower E - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower E - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.uk




Martello Towers D and E to the south of the pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th June 2006
Martello Towers D & E - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.uk Martello Towers D & E - Photo: © Ian Boyle, Clacton, 30th September 2006 - www.simplonpc.co.uk







Martello Tower F

There are four Martello Towers surviving in Clacton, lettered C,D,E & F. Tower F is near Clacton Pier and has been used as a tea room. It now also has a children's zoo in the moat. The retention of a moat is unusual for a Martello Tower. A drawbridge gives access across the moat to the second, as occurred on all towers as built. Website:-  www.clactonzoo.co.uk


Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





Roof gun platform of Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





View from the gun platform of Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





First floor of the Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





Ground floor of the Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





Children's zoo in the moat of the Martello Tower F at Clacton
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Martello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukMartello Tower F - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk





Martello Tower F
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th June 2006






Dotto Trains


P90 Class Dotto train in Clacton-on-Sea
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
Clacton-on-Sea Dotto Train ©2006 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukClacton-on-Sea Dotto Train ©2006 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk










Jaywick

Caravan Park - Jaywick
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th April 2013
Jaywick - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk Jaywick - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukJaywick - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukJaywick - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.ukJaywick - Photo: ©2013 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk










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