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Prince of Wales' Pier
Dover
Above postcard showing the "Lighthouse." Circa 1972. |
The "Lighthouse" circa 1964. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 May, 1960.
The admirable facilities for watching shipping while enjoying
refreshments can be judged from this photograph of the cafe at the end
of the Prince of Wales pier, which was opened on Monday.
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Above photo, 1966. |
Above photo 1974. |
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"From a Dover Harbour Board Brochure and guide of 1973.
Above picture showing the "Lighthouse" bar in 1973.
Above picture showing the "Lighthouse" restaurant in 1973. |
Staff at the cafe, in 1973. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday, 9 December, 2010.
Tour operator with passion
for rescuing bits of history.
Concerning the restoration
of Dover maritime artefacts, those of us who are old enough to remember
the cafe at the
end of Prince of Wales Pier destroyed in the 'hurricane' of 1987 - will
remember Roseau. She was the ship-figurehead that hung outside the
entrance. The name came from Roseau, the capital of Dominica, West
Indies, and translates from the French as reed. Sugar was the main crop
of Dominica, which was a French possession for many years and 'roseau de
sucre' is sugar cane.
The figurehead was believed to have come from the 371 gross tonnage, wooden barque, Roseau, built
at Jersey in 1857 by FC Clarke for Scrutton and Co of London. The ship
was principally engaged in trade
between England and the West Indies, and was finally broken up in
England in 1897.
After the loss of the cafe,
it would appear that the figurehead was put in storage until Richard
rescued her in 1998. By that time, she was in a very poor state and
had to be treated for rot, repaired and then painted. She did adorn Cruise Terminal One (the old Marine Station) up until earlier this
year, but has now returned to the quay where Richard moors Southern
Queen. Rot has set into Roseau's base
so she is being dried out and
treated.
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The above two photographs shows the new buildings that replaced the
Lighthouse public bars after they were destroyed during the 1987
hurricane. Photograph by kind permission of the Dover Library. ILL/4450. |
Apparently though, the "Lighthouse" was not the first licensed premises
to appear on the Prince of Wales Pier, as is shown in a passage found in the
Dover Express of 1904:-
This was delightfully situated on the end of the pier but it opened
during the summer months only first on 12 May 1972. The brewer was Bass
Charrington. It would not have been the first at this location. Frederick
Hotels held a licence in 1901 but that was for the exclusive use of
passengers using the Hamburg-America liners. On another pier that year,
drinks were also served by the Promenade and Pier Pavilion Company Ltd.
The "Lighthouse" unfortunately did not prosper. 1973 would have been its
last active year.
The original premises was destroyed in the 1987 hurricane.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 June, 1904. Price 1d.
PUBLIC HOUSE TRANSFERS
THE PORT OF CALL
In accordance with notice, Mr. Rutley Mowll applied for the final
confirmation of the license granted to Mr. Coxan of the “Lord Warden
Hotel,” to supply refreshments at a building (which he had completed
according to plans previously approved by the Bench on the Prince of
Wales Pier, which will shortly be used for the embarking and landing of
passengers using the Atlantic liners which will call at Dover on and
after the 1st of July. Mr. T. A. Walmsley, Engineer of the Dover Harbour
Board, proved that the building in which the refreshments would be
served had been completed in accordance with the plans previously
submitted to the Bench, except that it had been put a little further
towards the west for the convenience of the Station.
Mr. Bottle: And the building is actually completed?
Yes, I saw it half an hour ago – Mr. Mowll said that there was a little
telegraph office and other conveniences for travellers in the course of
erection, but the building in which the refreshments would be served was
completed. The license was confirmed.
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LICENSEE LIST
FORSTER Harry or FOSTER 1972
JAMES Peter 1972
HALL John B 1974
(Lighthouse cafe)
Library archives 1974
I thought the above photo showed the lighthouse at the end of the Prince of Wales Pier
before the Lighthouse cafe and bars were actually built around this central lighthouse.
However, it has been pointed out to me by Jim Moore that this pier and
lighthouse is actually the one at Ramsgate. However, they are very
similar in design.
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