Harbour Whitehaven

whitehaven harbour


history

the existence of harbour or landing place @ whitehaven can traced 16th century when quay-dues – otherwise known wharfage – recorded in 1517. in 1677 historical description of whitehaven refers “a little pier, in shallow water, built wooden piles , stones”. so, there man-made harbour structure @ whitehaven before lowthers started develop area.

it purchase of manor of st bees in 1630 lowther family start of development of whitehaven harbour export coal. sir christopher lowther built stone pier in 1631-34, , survives albeit modified , known old quay.

by 1660s pier suffering storm damage , 1670s considered not have sufficient capacity growing number of vessels wanting use it. prospect of rival pier being built @ parton north of whitehaven, galvanised sir john lowther developing harbour , 1679 work underway. during late 17th , 18th century harbour extended ballast walls, moles , piers become 1 of complex pier harbours in britain. april 1778 saw harbour first site of american attack on british isles during american revolutionary war.

the town s fortunes port waned rapidly when ports larger shipping capacity, such bristol , liverpool, began take on main trade. peak of prosperity in 19th century when west cumberland experienced brief boom because haematite found locally 1 of few iron ores used produce steel original bessemer process. improvements bessemer process , development of open hearth process removed advantage. mining communities inter-war depression severe; exacerbated west cumbria irish independence placed tariff barriers on principal export market.

the harbour lost last commercial cargo handling operation in 1992 when marchon ceased phosphate rock import operations. new masterplan harbour prepared drivers jonas , marine consulting engineers beckett rankine objective of refocussing town on renovated harbour. key masterplan impounding of inner basins create large leisure , fishing harbour.

current situation

the harbour has seen other renovation due millennium developments; picture of harbour used on front page of tate modern s promotional material exhibition of millennium projects in 2003. harbour rejuvenation has cost estimated £11.3 million , has enabled 100 more moorings within marina. further investment of additional £5.5 million has seen development of 40m high crows nest , wave light feature changes colour dependent upon tide, rum story on lowther street, voted cumbria tourism s small visitor attraction of year 2007.

in june 2008, queen elizabeth ii visited whitehaven part of 300th anniversary celebrations. queen , prince philip officially opened refurbished beacon, museum set on harbour. 10,000 people attended event.