Lot 107
19TH CENTURY NAIVE ENGLISH SCHOOL
THE OLD CHAIN PIER, BRIGHTON
Auction: 14 November 2018 at 10:00 GMT
Description
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
45cm x 66cm (17.75in x 26in)
Footnote
Note: The Brighton Chain Pier was built between 1822 and 1823. It measured 350 yards long and thirteen feet wide, and acted as a bridge between the cliff wall and four towers, being used as an embarkation point for cross-channel ships. Its position was, however, exposed to the elements and the coming of the railways and the more sheltered aspect of Newhaven port, spelt its demise in use. Neglect weakened the pier and it was declared unsafe in October 1896.
On 4 December 1896, a 'terrific storm of wind, with some rain' blew all day. At about 10.30pm, 'suddenly, amid the roaring waves and the howling of the wind, the pier shivered convulsively from end to end; and in a few moments the entire structure had collapsed. Nothing remained standing but the vestiges of the first piles of timbers'. An eye-witness said that 'the light at the pier-head remained until the last'. The next morning, all that remained was the broken first tower and some jagged piles jutting out of the sea. The chains had sunk right down onto the beach and sea bed.