The Tragic Tale of Withernsea: Britain's 'Unluckiest Pier'
A small seaside town in Yorkshire was once home to what became infamously known as the world's most cursed pier. During the Victorian era, piers emerged as essential attractions for coastal visitors, leading to the construction of one in the town of Withernsea.
Built between 1875 and 1877, Withernsea Pier had an astonishingly brief existence, shutting down by 1893 and being completely demolished by 1903. Today, all that remains on the site are the striking castellated pier towers, which guide visitors down towards the beach.
A Series of Catastrophic Incidents
The pier's fleeting lifespan was the direct result of a relentless series of disasters, earning it the notorious title of the 'unluckiest pier in the world'. Multiple vessels smashed into the structure throughout its operational years, leading to its rapid decline.
The pier's unfortunate saga began during construction in 1875, when a crane collapsed, crushing and killing a 17-year-old boy. Then in 1877, a fierce storm loosened sections of the construction, which plunged into the sea, destroying one strut and warping girders. This setback delayed the pier's official opening and required £200 worth of repairs.
Devastating Ship Collisions
The calamities continued on October 28, 1880, when a devastating North Sea storm saw two vessels plough into the pier. The fishing boat Jabaz struck the pier and sank, claiming the lives of four sailors. Meanwhile, a coal barge named Saffron slammed into the pier, tearing a 150-180 foot gap through its centre.
That same night, the storm obliterated the nearby Hornsea Pier and sent another vessel crashing into Redcar Pier. Three years later, on March 6, 1883, another storm hit and washed away part of the pier, including the section damaged by the Saffron.
Final Blows and Demolition
The ill-fated pier suffered yet another blow on October 20, 1890, when the fishing vessel Genesta crashed into it, destroying more than half of the structure. On this occasion, there was just one casualty, the captain of the ship, while the crew were luckily rescued from the sea.
What little remained of the pier was damaged even further on March 22, when the Henry Parr ploughed into it during a violent storm, leaving just 50 feet of the structure standing. It came as little surprise when the remaining section was declared unsafe, and the last remnants were torn down by 1905.
Failed Reconstruction Efforts
In more recent times, proposals to reconstruct the structure were drawn up, backed by funding from the East Coast Communities Fund, the National Lottery, and local fundraising efforts. In January 2020, the cost of rebuilding was estimated at £8 million.
However, the plans were ultimately shelved in 2023 after East Riding Council concluded they were 'no longer viable'. While the ambition to restore the pier has been abandoned, the distinctive castle towers still stand to this day, leading visitors down towards the seafront as a haunting reminder of this tragic chapter in coastal history.
