Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/354

 was screwed into the marl on the 27th of June, 1862, by Captain Francis Preston, the chairman of the company. A violent storm in the ensuing October damaged the works to some extent, and induced the company to raise the deck of the pier three feet above the altitude originally proposed, at an expense of £2,000. On the 21st of May, 1863, the pier was formally opened by Captain Preston, the auspicious event being celebrated by general rejoicings throughout the town and a procession of the different schools and friendly societies. The dimensions of the erection at that date were:—Approach, 80 feet long; abutment, 120 feet long and 45 feet wide; main portion, 1,070 feet long and 28 feet wide; and the head, 135 feet long and 55 feet wide, giving a total length of 1,405 feet available as a promenade. The entire superstructure was placed upon clusters of iron piles, fixed vertically into the ground by means of screws, those at the abutment and main body being wholly of cast, and those at the head partly of cast and partly of wrought iron. The largest of the cast-iron columns measured 12 inches in diameter, and 1-1/3 inch in thickness, each column being filled in with concrete. The piles were arranged in clusters at intervals of 60 feet, and firmly secured together longitudinally, transversely, and diagonally, by rods and braces. The main girders, of the sort known as plated, were rivetted on the clusters in lengths of 70 feet, and formed parapets, presenting a pleasing appearance and constituting a most efficient wind guard to the pier. The tops of the girders were turned to useful account by converting them into a continuous line of seats. Next to the chief girders were fixed transverse wrought iron girders, upon the top of which the planking of the deck was laid, being arranged in longitudinal and transverse layers, so that no open spaces were left to admit the passage of wind or spray. The head of the pier, rectangular in form, was raised 50 feet above low-water mark, and leading from it to ample landing stages below, was a flight of steps 10 feet wide. The limits of the pier shore-wards were defined by ornamental iron gates with lamps, immediately inside which were the toll houses. Upon the main portion of the pier were erected several ornamental shelter and refreshment houses of an octagonal shape, and standing on side projections. Another ornamental shelter house of much larger dimensions was placed, within a few months, on the head. Lamps