Hastings Pier

The Pier has an overall length of 910 feet, with the width varying from 45 feet along the neck to 190 feet at the seaward end and 130 feet at the landward end. The structure is supported on cast iron screw piles, cast iron columns, lattice girders, with a timber deck. The pier opened in 1872 by Earl Granville. The pavilion had a capacity of 2,000 persons, but burned down in 1917 and was subsequently replaced with a horizontally boarded structure. Covered walkways, two theatres, zoo and amusement arcades were also features of the pier. The original pier appears to have been supported by columns in rows of three, the outer columns raking. Widening at landward end was supported entirely on vertical columns. To reduce possible damage from high seas, the entrance section was forked in plan to create a large open area to allow heavy seas to break upwards without destroying the deck