Douglas Harbour
From ManxWiki
Douglas Harbour and Port is the main sea gateway for passengers and freight arriving and departing the island. The main ferry operator is the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Contents |
Layout
The Inner Harbour is the area within the confines of the Millenium Bridge and tidal flap gate. This includes the Tongue, the Marina, North and South Quays. The flapgate makes the Inner Harbour non tidal.
The Outer Harbour is everything on the seaward side of the Millenium Bridge. This includes the Queen Victoria Pier, the King Edward VII Pier, the Battery Pier, The Lifeboat Station and the outer moorings.
History
The harbour was built at the mouth of the River Douglas where it emerges from a valley to meet the Irish Sea.
Minor jetties and pontoons existed prior to the building of the Tongue in the early 1700s with the North and South Quays following soon after to form what is now the Inner Harbour.
As the south side of the harbour was mainly rock face, North Quay was extended to create deeper bearthing between 1765 and 1790. At this time the harbour was still around what is now the inner harbour with the entrance being open to sea conditions. A relatively short section was added to the North Quay in 1801 known as the Red Pier.
In 1824 William Hillary requested that the Admiralty improve the harbour entrance and safety for those who would be wrecked on conister rocks. Following refusal Hillary went on to raise funds for the Tower of Refuge which was completed in 1832.
Following the partial construction of a rubble and timber breakwater that was distroyed by a storm in 1865, funding for the construction of Victoria Pier was secured and commenced in 1867 with the official opening by Lieutenant Governor Loch taking place in 1872. Better shelter from the sea was gained from the construction of the Battery Pier in 1879. It was the wish to see Victoria Pier extended by an additional 400 feet and this project was completed in 1891.
As usage of the harbour continued to grow during the early 20th Century Tourism period calls went out for the Red Pier to be extended however the proposals dragged on until the plans were shelved due to the outbreak of World War 1. The extention that is now known as King Edward Pier eventually came to fruition in May 1936.
In 1948 Douglas Harbour became the world's first to have RADAR installed.
The Sea Terminal Building was opened by HRH The Princess Margareton 6th July 1965.
Aerial Map
Video
- British Pathe: RADAR beats Manx fog
Gallery
 Postcard view of Douglas Harbour and Sea Terminal prior to the infill of Circus Beach |
 Postcard view of the harbour entrance from Douglas Head |
 Postcard view of Victoria Pier |
 Millennium Bridge lowering after passage of a yacht |
 HMS Tyne berthed on Victoria Pier |
 Douglas RNLI Station |
 STS Lord Nelson berthed on Victoria Pier |
