Have we lost for the battle for Hastings Pier?

Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust campaign

East Sussex's historic Hastings Pier has been destroyed by a major fire and is now at risk of breaking up and collapsing into the sea.

The Council have warned that the structure is in a "very dangerous state". Two men are in custody, having been arrested, on suspicion of arson.

The pier was derelict and a campaign by the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust had secured agreement from the Council to buy the pier and pass it on to the Trust earlier this year.

The pleasure pier was built in 1872 by Eugenius Birch a 19th Century naval architect, engineer and innovator.

Birch was born in London's East End, Shoreditch, at a time when Victorian England was developing its steamships and railways. London's East End was at the heart of the transport regeneration and Birch would have seen the early steamships emerge from East End shipyards.

This early inspiration shaped Birch's interest in mechanical engineering and from his early employment, in Limehouse at the age of 16, he went on to win an IsisMedal from the Society of Arts for his drawing of a marine steam engine.

A true Victorian working in the Empire Birch became involved in building railways in India - The Calcutta - Delhi Line.

On his return to England Birch used his global experience to influence the development of the Victorian seaside holiday and to the construction of coastal pleasure piers which, thanks to the railway networks, were now cheap and easily accessible.

Coastal towns would be in competition to create the longest and most ornate piers to attract tourists.

In 1853 Birch, approached by a group of businessmen in Margate, designed and constructed his first pier using styles and decorative influences from the time he had spent in India.

Most importantly, Birch introduced the new and innovative screw pile system giving piers additional strength  - the foundations of Margate Pier survived up until 1978 when they were finally destroyed by severe storms.

Birch designed and constructed some 14 piers in total and including the West Pier in Brighton.

Birch died in 1884 at the age of 66 having built and designed piers, pavilions, docks, railways, harbours and waterworks - an enviable maritime heritage legacy by any standard and yet he is probably best remembered by East Enders for his beautiful pleasure piers.

Source [East London History & Wikipedia]