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Clacton Pier
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Clacton Pier in Essex.
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. Excuraion 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 visiters.
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
Waverley
Clacton Martello Towers
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Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier Postcards
Postcard of Clacton Pier posted 1915 - before lengthening?
The pier was lengthened from 440 feet to 1180 feet between 1890-1893, so this would be a very old photograph by 1915 when posted
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer leaving
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer arriving - note removal of toll both and new tea kiosk compared to card above
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Belle Steamer leaving
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Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier, posted 1907
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Postcard of Belle Steamer arriving at Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Belle Steamer leaving Clacton Pier, posted 1912
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Postcard of Clacton Pier in a storm
Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Alternative copy of the card above
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Before expansion - compare width to next card
Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
After expansion - compare width to previous card
Postcard of Clacton Pier Entrance
Postcard of Clacton Pier
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
Paddle steamer arriving - pier much expanded since earlier views
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Postcard of Clacton Pier from the east
Scan: Richard Greenwood
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Postcard of Clacton Pier
at night
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Postcard of Clacton Pier and the West Beach
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973
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Postcard of Clacton Pier and the West Beach
The Steel Stella roller coaster was part of the pier entertainment between 1937-1973
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Post war Aero Pictorial postcard of Clacton Pier
Rochester Queen (2)
berthed at the pier head. She ran from 1947-1960
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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
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Postcard of Clacton Pier entrance, dated 1959
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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
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Colour postcard of Clacton Pier from the west in the 1970s
The Steel Stella roller coaster was destroyed by fire in1973
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Clacton Pier Photographs
Clacton Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th June 2006
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Clacton Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th June 2006
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Clacton Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
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Clacton Pier Entrance
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2006
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Clacton Pier from
Waverley
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd October 2006
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Clacton Pier from
Waverley
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 3rd October 2006
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Clacton Jetty Postcards
Clacton Jetty was demolished in 1940.
Postcard of Clacton Jetty posted 1915
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