Further to my holiday in the Isle of Wight, I thought I would share some real interesting survivors, although not on the Island itself, but literally next door to the RedFunnel Ferry terminal at Southampton Dock gate 7.
I noticed this particular lantern whilst parked up in the waiting area. The view was partially obscured by containers.
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It looks like a Revo Horizon Major to me, but perhaps you can confirm this.
Once on the ferry, I climbed up on top and looked to the west for a better view. What I found was the remains of a large jetty, most of it in a very derelict condition, with some sections of the decking in a callapsed state.
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Subsequent research online indicates this location is actually the remains of the Royal Pier, which opened in 1833.
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It was originally named Victoria Pier and as well as a popular venue for entertainment, it also provided berthing for the Isle of Wight steamers and from the 1950s, car ferries. The pier finally closed in 1979. Decay and arson in subsequent years turned the pier into the wreck you see today, although the pier gatehouse subsequently restored now serves as a restaurant.
Being interested in such things, I made a point of getting some close up pictures as we left the terminal. The main focus of the camera however, was of some real survivors of the past.
There are a few of these old cast iron columns dotted around the pierhead, which seem to be original to the structure.
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Contemporary photos of the time indicate they may originally been fitted with decorative curved iron brackets. In later years, these look to have been replaced by the simple uplift bracket still extant today and still fitted with the Revo lanterns.
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Due to the perilous condition of the pier, it will be a miracle if any of these could be saved. As the structure continues to decay, one column is already being to topple over.
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