Garth Point Pier, Bangor, N. Wales. Designed by John James Webster (1845-1914) in 1893, and constructed at a cost of £17,000, it opened on 14 May 1896, with the North Wales Echo reporting on the next day that: "It consists of cast iron screw piles and columns, supporting a steel superstructure of girders and steel joists, carrying the pitch-pine deck planks" (qtd. in "Bangor Garth"). Including the landing stage, the pier stretches to 1550' or about 470m over the Menai Strait, and, according to Coflein's entry on it, is the longest pier in North Wales — although, according to some measures, that accolade goes to Llandudno Pier. It was conceived primarily for the arrival and departure of pleasure boats from places like the Isle of Mann, Blackpool and Liverpool. For that purpose, it originally had a 3' gauge tram-line for carrying baggage ("Bangor Garth"). Like the pier at LLandudno, this one is Grade II* listed. [Click on the image to enlarge it.]
Closer view of the kiosks.
Despite its original purpose, the pier has a good helping of seaside charm: there are two kiosks at the entrance with decorative ironwork in between. Then the deck widens four times for little "octagonal kiosks with tent and onion-dome roofs" (Haslam et al. 246) before the single pavilion at the head. Ornamental ironwork is seen in the gates, railings, fixed benches and lamp standards too, as well as the little "lighthouse" holding the red light required by Trinity House. Some recreational facilities were also on offer here: "there was Pierrot entertainment" ("Bangor Garth"). This was to be expected, because North Wales was such a popular resort area at this time.
The approach to the pier, which adds greatly to the holiday atmosphere of the area.
The pier was deemed unsafe, and closed, in 1971, but restored and reopened in the 1980s. More recently, further restoration has been required. The latest news about it, at the time of writing, is that it is closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Photographs by Colin Price and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
" Bangor Garth: History ." National Piers Society. Web. 17 June 2020.
"Garth Point Pier, Bangor." Coflein. Web. 17 June 2020.
Haslam, Richard, Julian Orbach and Voelcker. The Buildings of Wales: Gwynedd: Anglesey, Caernarvonshire and Merioneth. Pevsner Architectural Guide. New York: Yale university Press, 2009.
"John James Webster." Grace's Guide. Web. 17 June 2020.
Created 4 July 2020