Pictures of the early days

Comments about this page

• Can anyone confirm that before the marina was built, it was just sea and groines on the undercliff to blackrock swimming pool? Thank you.

  By Paul Eaves (08/12/2007)

• Yes that is correct Paul. I would be very interested if someone had some old photos to show the Marina in various stages of development, I imagine that they must be available somewhere? I remember it happening, and the huge crane that ran on a track and lowered the large pre-cast “caissons” that now make up the two “arms” into the foundations. It would be great for someone “knowledgeable” to write the story.

  By Peter Groves (14/08/2010)

• In the early 70s I worked for Handford Photography in Croydon. Tom Samson, a well-known aerial photographer, documented the construction of the marina from start to finish. The whole Handford collection was sold to a company called Blue Sky so I don’t know where the photgraphs are now.

  By Jae (30/03/2012)

• I worked on ‘the crane’ for the last 16 caisson placements – became familiar with all stages from the caisson being brought to the rear of the crane on the transfer car, lifted up to deck level for ‘dressing’, and lowered to the the freshly prepared seabed. All night or all day pours came next. I have a number of (sadly poor condition) ‘before’ and ‘during’ photos (including placement of the last caisson on the east route). Taylor Woodrow gave them to me and I used them for unofficial presentations at two schools friends of mine taught at. If anyone cares enough to get in touch (somehow), I’ll be happy to provide more detail.

  By Colin Wild (02/03/2015)

• I worked on the site, testing concrete for caissons and sea walls and I remember the large crane that also had a canteen onboard.

  By Rob Body (28/12/2020)

• Does anyone remember a bar/restaurant in the Marina probably 1990’s Italian dancing there too?

  By Christine Brown (15/02/2021)