Iron Pier Harbour British Era Madras, 1870 Photo
An 1870 photo of the iron pier harbour in then-British era Madras (Chennai). Probably one of the earliest photos of the Iron Pier. Because of an inlet-less coast, ships would anchor at the outer sea in the early days. Local masula boats were used to ferry cargo and passengers from the ship to the coast.
This caused cargo loss impediments because of pilfering and rough weather. Which necessitated the need for a pier for the docking of ships. The British East India Company earnestly took up the construction of the new pier that was completed in 1861. It consisted of a ‘T’ shaped jetty protruding from the beach to the sea.
With a length of 1000 feet and 40 feet in width, with a ‘T’-head. It was a simple design but unprotected against the vagaries of the weather. This was probably because of a lack of funds or a lack of good technology, the exact reason is not known. However, predictably a violent storm badly damaged the pier in around 1870.
So much so the pier was breached in half. The crippled jetty was then repaired and put back into use again by 1875. Consequently, concrete breakwater barriers were constructed encircling the harbour with an opening for ships to pass. By the late 19th century and early 20th century, a permanent harbour was commissioned. Enabling passenger steamers and cargo ships to berth safely without any interruptions or setbacks. Today the Chennai Port Trust is one of the busiest ports in India.
Read also-The man who taught us how to love Madras. See post Breach Of The Madras Iron Pier – Old Print 1895.
Did you know – the German warship Emden bombarded Madras city and the harbour in WW1.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894., King George V In 1911 Delhi Durbar – Old Postcard., Vintage Book 1913 – The Peoples of India., Ooty Steam Loco Train Halt Over Bridge – Old Photo 1909
