![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/The_Boat_Hoist_on_Durdle_Pier_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1597913.jpg/300px-The_Boat_Hoist_on_Durdle_Pier_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1597913.jpg)
Durdle Pier is a disused 17th-century stone shipping quay, located on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England; part of the Jurassic Coast. It is found close by Yeolands Quarry, on the east side of the island within the area of East Weares and Penn's Weare.[1]
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Cliff_path_above_Durdle_Pier%2C_Portland_-_geograph.org.uk_-_861850.jpg/300px-Cliff_path_above_Durdle_Pier%2C_Portland_-_geograph.org.uk_-_861850.jpg)
Durdle Pier dates back to the 17th century and became one of the main stone shipping places on the east side.[2] East and Penn's Weares were the location of Sir Christopher Wren's first workings of stone to rebuild London after the Great Fire of 1666.[3] During the mid-19th century, the original crane was replaced with one made by Galpin of Dorchester.[2]
Once quarrying in the area ended, fishermen became the pier's main users for lifting boats from the water. The crane became broken and beyond repair in the early 21st century.[4] During 2014 the pier's crane was destroyed by the sea. Close to the pier are two World War II pillboxes.[5][6]
The Great Southwell Landslip, Britain's second-largest recorded historical landslide, occurred in 1734, between Durdle Pier and Freshwater Bay.[7] The Dorset names Durlston Bay and Head (in Swanage) and Durdle Pier, again without early spellings, can be associated etymologically with Durdle Door.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Yeolands Quarry and Durdle Pier, Portland, Dorset". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b Historic England. "DURDLE PIER (453861)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 1466569". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ petervanallen Peter Allen+ Add Contact (28 July 2007). "Durdle Pier | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 1420399". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 1420401". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Quick facts about the Jurassic Coast". Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "Durdle Door, Dorset, England". Thedorsetpage.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.