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Stone Pier
Robben Island, Western Cape
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | A stone pier was constructed on Robben Island in 1827. A British explorer, James Holman (1786 - 1857) visited Robben Island on Wednesday 28 January 1829. He recorded a detailed commentary on the stone pier: The wind being very light, we did not arrive at the island till about noon, when we landed very conveniently on a substantial stone pier, which had been lately erected, through the exertions, and under the superintendance of the present Commandant, Lieutenant Pedder, R.N.,…… Before the pier was built, the landing was very disagreeable, and often very difficult on account of the surf, and the quantity of sea-weed which covered the beach, and which sometimes became very offensive, when in a state of decomposition during hot weather. Through both of these impediments persons were obliged to wade, or be carried on the shoulders of a convict, an experiment which was not infrequently attended by a ducking. The new pier is 600 feet long by 20 wide, and 21 feet high from its base, at the extremity, near which there are some good stone steps for the convenience of landing; however the chief use of the pier is, that it forms a secure cove for boats. The work was completed by convict labour alone, and I am assured, that the expense, exclusive of such labour, did not exceed fifteen pounds. When I saw it, it had withstood the test of two winters, subject to a heavier sea, than any that washes the bottom of Table Bay. The site of the stone pier has not been confirmed. It is however likely that it would have been constructed along the line of the existing concrete pier as this is in relatively close proximity to the blue stone quarry on the South side of the Island. The stone pier was apparently destroyed by storms in 1865 and was in due course replaced with a timber pier. References: Holman, J. A Voyage Round the World, including Travels in Africa, Asia, Australasia, America, etc., from 1827 to 1832, Volume 2, London, 183, pp 140 William MARTINSON, Osmond Lange Architects, February 2020 References:
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