| Details |
Pier constructed in three stages as part of major harbour improvements in the 18th and 19th centuries. This pier was constructed in three distinct stages as part of the great eighteenth and nineteenth century series of harbour improvements in Aberdeen. These swept away the restrictive and tidal medieval harbour and replaced it, gradually, with the modern harbour plan, that in large measure survives to this day. Aberdeen's harbour was prone to becoming silted, moreover only very small vessels could access the inner quay area, larger ships were restricted to enter as far only as the Fittie area. As shipping expanded in volume by the late eighteenth century there was a need for major changes. The first major alteration were those designed by John Smeaton. Construction began in 1770 of the first stage of the pier and was completed by 1781. It ran to 366m (1200 feet) and cost some £180. It reduced the ingress of sand into the harbour area and changed the angle of incoming waves at the harbour entrance. Thus, the sand and silt bar at the entrance of the harbour which impeded the access of larger ships changed its position with an overall gain of some three to four feet in depth of water. Between 1790 and 1797 the pier suffered considerable storm damage requiring repairs,the increased river flow resulting from Smeaton's work having scoured the channel bed undermining the pier's foundations. The three to four feet gain in depth was, however, still not enough and the North Pier was extended in the years between 1810 and 1813, this time at the advice of Thomas Telford. The extension measures some 274m (900 feet). However, as the second stage sloped out into the water and its base was marked by a number of large rocks, at least five ships were wrecked there whilst attempting entry into the harbour. Times of storm added to the danger, with additional repair and rebuilding required after storm damage in 1813 and 1816. Further harbour improvement works took place during the years 1869 and 1874, authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1868. Extension of the North Pier in 1874 to 1877 (he foundation stone laid in September of 1874) added an extra 152m (500 feet) in length, bringing the pier to some 792m (2600 feet) in length. Further improvements to the pier head were carried out during the tenure of William Smith as resident harbour engineer 1880-95. In 1907 works to secure the foundations of the pier were authorised and in 1979 major repairs were carried out in the Telford structure of the pier. Most of the pier is no longer accessible to the public.
|
Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NE0024 - NORTH PIER, ABERDEEN HARBOUR