Broadstairs Harbour
After dropping the boys at school, I carried on to Broadstairs to have a look at the harbour and Viking Bay. It's cold and grey again, so the light will be flat and even all day. Broadstairs is a lovely little seaside town perched on the edge of the chalk cliffs - there is a lot to photograph here. I spent a happy hour or two pottering around the boats before stopping at the Harbour Cafe for tea and a bacon sandwich, then heading back to collect Dash from nursery.
Broadstairs Harbour, situated on the Isle of Thanet in Kent, has a history that stretches back to the 15th century. The first wooden pier was constructed in 1460, laying the foundation for its development as a vital coastal hub. By 1538, George Culmer had built a more substantial pier to protect his shipyard, which occupied the site where the Pavilion and Garden on the Sands now stand. Culmer also constructed the York Gate in 1540, a defensive archway over Harbour Street with heavy wooden doors to shield the town from seaborne threats.
Smuggling played a significant role in the history of Broadstairs, particularly during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The chalk cliffs surrounding the town contained a network of tunnels and caves, which provided ample hiding places for contraband. The town's strategic coastal location, coupled with its separation from the mainland by the Wantsum Channel, made it a prime base for smuggling operations. Notably, Daniel Defoe wrote in 1723 that out of Broadstairs' 300 residents, only 27 were fishermen, hinting at the widespread involvement of the population in illicit trade. Smuggling activities often focused on high-duty goods such as tea, spirits, and tobacco, and local smugglers became known for their skill in evading customs agents.
Broadstairs' reputation as a smuggling hub extended beyond its shores. A resident was famously introduced to Queen Victoria as "the famous Broadstairs smuggler." The town's involvement in smuggling was part of a larger network along the Kent coast, with nearby towns like Whitstable and Herne Bay also deeply engaged in the trade. Today, remnants of this smuggling heritage, such as the tunnels beneath the cliffs, continue to draw interest.
The harbour's maritime activities were not limited to smuggling. It was an important fishing port, with catches brought in from as far afield as Great Yarmouth, Dover, and Torbay. In the 18th century, the pier underwent significant restoration following storm damage in 1767, funded by contributions from several organizations, including Trinity House and the East India Company. By the 19th century, the arrival of steamboats in 1824 revolutionized trade with London, increasing the harbour's commercial importance.
Shipbuilding was also a key industry in Broadstairs until 1824 when operations moved to the Isle of Wight. The harbour, known as Steamer Point in the 1840s, was a bustling site for shipping movements, including coal and other goods traded along the coast. Additionally, the town's first lifeboat, donated by Thomas White in 1851, marked a significant moment in its maritime history. The lifeboat's first rescue saved the crew of the brig Mary White from the Goodwin Sands.
Broadstairs Harbour's layered history, encompassing shipbuilding, fishing, and smuggling, highlights its long-standing significance in the region’s maritime past. The legacy of these activities continues to shape the identity of the town, offering glimpses into a time when the cliffs and waters were alive with commerce, craftsmanship, and clandestine operations.
Canon Powershot S95, Lightroom, Silver Efex Pro 2
