COASTLINE
THE PICTURES OF PORTLAND’S COASTLINE FOLLOWS A TOUR STARTING IN THE FERRYBRIDGE AREA AND GOES IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION VIA PORTLAND BILL TO CHISWELL. PLEASE CLICK ON A NAME IN THE TABLE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THAT LOCATION.
FERRYBRIDGE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE VICKERS/WHITEHEAD TORPEDO WORKS. ALTHOUGH TECHNICALLY NOT ON PORTLAND THIS FACTORY SUPPLIED EMPLOYMENT FOR MANY PORTLANDERS. NOTE HOW RURAL THE AREA NORTH OF THE FACTORY WAS.
A VIEW OF PORTLAND. LOOKING TOWARDS THE FERRY WHICH PRECEDED THE BUILDING OF A BRIDGE IN 1839. THE HISTORY OF THE BRIDGES CAN BE READ HERE.
![DR04224 DR04224](../assets/images/DR04224.jpg)
PORTLAND HARBOUR. HMS BOSCAWEN, LEFT AND HMS MINOTAUR. VERNE CITADEL RIGHT
PORTLAND HARBOUR VIEWED FROM NEAR FERRYBRIDGE IN ABOUT 1900.
![DR0658a DR0658a](../assets/images/DR0658a.jpg)
THE VIEW ACROSS PORTLAND HARBOUR FROM ABOVE BINCLEAVES
![JC0406a JC0406a](../assets/images/JC0406a.jpg)
THE RAILWAY LINK BETWEEN PORTLAND AND THE MAINLAND. THIS WAS OPENED IN 1865 AND CLOSED IN 1965. THE WRITER WAS ON THE LAST TRAIN TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE.
THE MERE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
THE MERE WAS A SALT MARSH AREA WHICH WAS LATER RECLAIMED. IT LIES IN THE CENTRE OF THE PICTURE BELOW.
![JC0748a JC0748a](../assets/images/JC0748a.jpg)
NOTE THE MANY FISHING BOATS ON CHESIL BEACH.
![jc1246 jc1246](../assets/images/jc1246.jpg)
THE MERE WAS USED FOR SHEEP WASHING AS SHOWN BELOW BEFORE BEING RECLAIMED FOR USE BY THE ROYAL NAVY.
![DR0442 DR0442](../assets/images/DR0442.jpg)
![jc03216a jc03216a](../assets/images/jc03216a.jpg)
SHEEP WASHING AT THE MERE. DATE UNKNOWN.
IN THIS PICTURE THE MERE IS PARTIALLY RECLAIMED AND THE FIRST OIL STORAGE TANKS HAVE BEEN ERECTED. THE NEXT FOUR PICTURES SHOW THE MERE BEING IN-FILLED AND THE OIL STORAGE TANKS BEING BUILT.
![JH01129 JH01129](../assets/images/JH01129.jpg)
VIEW LOOKING TOWARD VERNE CITADEL WITH RAILWAY STATION IN FOREGROUND.
CASTLETOWN AND NAVAL DOCKYARD
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
![JC0530 JC0530](../assets/images/JC0530.jpg)
CASTLETOWN WITH VERNE RAMPARTS IN BACKGROUND. DATED 1908
LOADING STONE AT CASTLETOWN BEACH BEFORE THE DOCKYARD GATE
![JC0304b JC0304b](../assets/images/JC0304b.jpg)
AREA LATER OCCUPIED BY THE ROYAL NAVAL DOCKYARD EXTENSION TO HOUSE THE ASDIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT AT PORTLAND (1927-1940). THE BRIDGE CARRIED THE MAIN WEYMOUTH TO PORTLAND RAILWAY LINE WHICH CLOSED IN 1965. THE INCLINED ROAD IN THE BACKGROUND WAS ORIGINALLY AN INCLINED RAILWAY SYSTEM. THE BUILDINGS ON THE WATER’S EDGE WERE THE ADMIRALTY SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
THE ABOVE PICTURE AND THE ONE BELOW SHOW RECENT PICTURES OF THE AREA AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE INCLINE ROAD. THE GIRDER BRIDGE SEEN IN THE ABOVE OLD PICTURE STRADDLED THE ROAD.
BUILDING THE FINAL ARM OF THE PORTLAND BREAKWATER.
![JC0751a JC0751a](../assets/images/JC0751a.jpg)
A VIEW OF THE NEWLY COMPLETED FINAL ARM OF THE PORTLAND BREAKWATER.
THE NEXT 23 PICTURES SHOW THE ROYAL NAVAL DOCKYARD IN THE PERIOD 1880 - 1910
![DR06143a DR06143a](../assets/images/DR06143a.jpg)
![DR06142a DR06142a](../assets/images/DR06142a.jpg)
![JC0374a JC0374a](../assets/images/JC0374a.jpg)
![DR0637 DR0637](../assets/images/DR0637.jpg)
![DR0652b DR0652b](../assets/images/DR0652b.jpg)
![DR0659a DR0659a](../assets/images/DR0659a.jpg)
![DR0639a DR0639a](../assets/images/DR0639a.jpg)
![DR0641a DR0641a](../assets/images/DR0641a.jpg)
![DR0640a DR0640a](../assets/images/DR0640a.jpg)
![DR0638a DR0638a](../assets/images/DR0638a.jpg)
![DR0657a DR0657a](../assets/images/DR0657a.jpg)
![DR0644a DR0644a](../assets/images/DR0644a.jpg)
![DR0646 DR0646](../assets/images/DR0646.jpg)
![DR0647a DR0647a](../assets/images/DR0647a.jpg)
![DR0649b DR0649b](../assets/images/DR0649b.jpg)
![DR0650b DR0650b](../assets/images/DR0650b.jpg)
![DR0648a DR0648a](../assets/images/DR0648a.jpg)
![DR0649a DR0649a](../assets/images/DR0649a.jpg)
![DR0655a DR0655a](../assets/images/DR0655a.jpg)
![DR0654a DR0654a](../assets/images/DR0654a.jpg)
![DR0656a DR0656a](../assets/images/DR0656a.jpg)
EAST WEARES
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
![JH01100a JH01100a](../assets/images/JH01100a.jpg)
THE RECENT PICTURE BELOW SHOWS THIS AREA FROM A SLIGHTLY MORE NORTHERN VIEW POINT
![69573507 69573507](../assets/images/69573507.jpg)
![lc09134 lc09134](../assets/images/lc09134.jpg)
EAST WEARES, BALACLAVA BAY (RIFLE RANGE) AND PORTLAND HARBOUR c. 1925
![jh0702a1 jh0702a1](../assets/images/jh0702a1.jpg)
VIEW OF EAST WEARES, TAKEN FROM THE VERNE. THE PURPOSE OF THE BUILDING MIDDLE LEFT IS UNKNOWN.
![JC0523 JC0523](../assets/images/JC0523.jpg)
EAST CLIFF WITH RAILWAY LINE IN 1900. THE “GOAT PATH” WAS - AND STILL IS - A PRECARIOUS TRACK ENABLING FISHERMEN TO GET TO DURDLE PIER WHERE THEIR BOATS WERE KEPT.
EAST WEARES AND RAILWAY. COASTGUARD AND PRISON WARDERS HOUSES AT TOP LEFT (CHARMOUTH PLACE) NOW DEMOLISHED
![JH0668a JH0668a](../assets/images/JH0668a.jpg)
CHURCH OPE RAILWAY. LOWER LEFT IS DURDLE PIER.
![JH0666a JH0666a](../assets/images/JH0666a.jpg)
GROVE POINT WITH THE GROVE PRISON (LATER THE BORSTAL AND YOUTH OFFENDERS’ INSTITUTE) ON THE CLIFFTOP.
CHURCH OPE COVE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THAT WEBSITE. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CHURCH OPE COVE. THERE ARE MANY RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE COVE AND ADJACENT AREA HERE.
FOR A RECENT VIEW OF THIS SCENE PLEASE SEE BELOW.
A RECENT PICTURE OF CHURCH OPE COVE.
A RECENT PICTURE OF THE RUINED ST ANDREW’S CHURCH IN THE FOREGROUND. THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH CAN BE READ HERE. CURIOUSLY THIS CHURCH WAS DESTROYED BY AN EARTHQUAKE IN ABOUT THE YEAR 1000 AND IN 1735 THE GRAVES OF KING ETHELRED'S TWIN DAUGHTERS WHO HAD DIED AT BIRTH AROUND THE YEAR 990 SLID DOWN TO THE BEACH IN A LANDSLIDE..
RUFUS CASTLE IS IN THE BACKGROUND. THE HISTORY OF RUFUS CASTLE CAN BE READ HERE.
THE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA CASTLE CAN BE READ HERE.
THE CURIOUS STORY OF PENN’S BATH WHICH EXISTS ABOVE CHURCH OPE COVE CAN BE READ HERE. THE PICTURES ON THAT WEBSITE ARE THUMBNAILS WHICH CAN BE CLICKED TO GIVE A FULL SCREEN PICTURE. ALSO SEE HERE.
THE LAST REMNANT OF A ONCE FLOURISHING FISHING ERA RUSTS AWAY ON THE BEACH..
RUFUS CASTLE FROM CHURCH OPE COVE. THE PICTURE BELOW SHOWS THE CASTLE AS IT MAY HAVE LOOKED 300 YEARS AGO.
![JC12159 JC12159](../assets/images/JC12159.jpg)
![PT0303a PT0303a](../assets/images/PT0303a.jpg)
![JT0186 JT0186](../assets/images/JT0186.jpg)
CHURCH OPE IN 1930.
![LC0225 LC0225](../assets/images/LC0225.jpg)
BATHER AT CHURCH OPE COVE 1901.
![JH06123a JH06123a](../assets/images/JH06123a.jpg)
![JH04108 JH04108](../assets/images/JH04108.jpg)
PENNSYLVANIA CASTLE AND ST. ANDREWS CHURCHYARD, FROM CHURCH OPE COVE.
![JH0133 JH0133](../assets/images/JH0133.jpg)
![JH0137b JH0137b](../assets/images/JH0137b.jpg)
CRANE AT CHURCH OPE EXTRACTING STONE
![JT0134 JT0134](../assets/images/JT0134.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE. ONCE A THRIVING FISHING AREA.
![JT0133 JT0133](../assets/images/JT0133.jpg)
![JC0538 JC0538](../assets/images/JC0538.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE 1900, LOOKING TOWARD THE GIRLS' SIDE - GIRLS AND BOYS WERE SEPARATED.
![JC0547 JC0547](../assets/images/JC0547.jpg)
RUFUS CASTLE, 1903. MR. DOBSON, CHIEF WARDEN OF PRISON IN FOREGROUND. NOTE THE FISSURE IN THE ROCK FACE. THIS IS TYPICAL OF THE SYSTEM OF CRACKS THAT CRISSCROSS PORTLAND.
![JC0552 JC0552](../assets/images/JC0552.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE AND PENNSYLVANIA CASTLE 1900.
![JC0577 JC0577](../assets/images/JC0577.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE, 1900. HUT BELONGING TO GEORGE ERNEST FULLEYLOVE.
![JC0541 JC0541](../assets/images/JC0541.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE 1900, LOOKING TOWARD GIRLS' SIDE - GIRLS AND BOYS WERE SEGREGATED.
![JC0516 JC0516](../assets/images/JC0516.jpg)
![DR04154 DR04154](../assets/images/DR04154.jpg)
CHURCH OPE COVE. TEA CABIN ON THE BEACH, RUFUS CASTLE TOP CENTRE. PICTURE TAKEN FROM BOYS' SIDE.
![GP0453 GP0453](../assets/images/GP0453.jpg)
![DR04167a DR04167a](../assets/images/DR04167a.jpg)
SS VICTORIA AT CHURCH OPE COVE. PASSENGERS RETURNING TO BOAT AFTER VISITING
![DR04168a DR04168a](../assets/images/DR04168a.jpg)
PADDLE STEAMER IN CHURCH OPE COVE
![JC0515 JC0515](../assets/images/JC0515.jpg)
CHURCH OPE AND ST. ANDREWS RUINED CHURCH IN 1900.
![JC0535 JC0535](../assets/images/JC0535.jpg)
THE FISHERMEN'S HUTS, CHURCH OPE COVE
GODNOR POINT
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
GODNOR POINT IS A SHORT DISTANCE NORTH-EAST FROM CAVE HOLE AND SOUTH OF CHURCH OPE COVE.
![dr04195a dr04195a](../assets/images/dr04195a.jpg)
UNKNOWN GROUP OF PEOPLE POSING FOR PICTURE AT GODNOR POINT.
![JH0190 JH0190](../assets/images/JH0190.jpg)
VIEW LOOKING NORTH TOWARD RED CRANE, GODNOR POINT AND CAVE HOLE.
![pt0402a pt0402a](../assets/images/pt0402a.jpg)
CAVE HOLE AND CRANE. BELOW IS A MODERN PICTURE OF THIS SCENE.
![68569014A 68569014A](../assets/images/68569014A.jpg)
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL DRAMATIC STORY BEHIND THE ACCIDENT SHOWN BELOW WHICH OCCURRED ON 4TH JUNE 1949 AT CAVE HOLE.
POM POM ROCK STACK
THERE WAS A SOLITARY ROCK STACK ABOUT 500 METRES NORTH-EAST OF PORTLAND BILL WHICH HAD PROVIDED A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE COASTAL EROSION AT WORK ON THIS RELATIVELY STABLE COASTLINE. THE STACK WAS ABOUT 20 FEET HIGH.
THE FOLLOWING PICTURES FROM 1988 UNTIL 2014 RECORD ITS DEMISE.
![68068503 68068503](../assets/images/68068503.JPG)
POM POM STACK FINALLY FELL IN EARLY JANUARY 2014 UNDER THE FORCE OF GIANT WAVES. ITS FALL WAS REPORTED ON BBC RADIO 2 NATIONAL NEWS - PLEASE CLICK HERE.
PORTLAND BILL
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VICTORIAN SIX INCHES TO A MILE SCALE (1:10560) MAP OF THIS AREA. OTHER OLD MAPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THIS WEBSITE.
THERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTLAND BILL AREA HERE. SEE ALSO MY WEBSITE HERE FOR MANY RECENT PICTURES OF THIS AREA.
![PT0309 PT0309](../assets/images/PT0309.jpg)
![JH0477 JH0477](../assets/images/JH0477.jpg)
LARGE WAVES AT PORTLAND BILL
![GP01144B GP01144B](../assets/images/GP01144B.jpg)
![LC1204a LC1204a](../assets/images/LC1204a.jpg)
PORTLAND BILL BLOW HOLE - LOCATION UNKNOWN
![JC03229 JC03229](../assets/images/JC03229.jpg)
STONE QUARRY CRANE NEAR PULPIT ROCK.
THIS PICTURE AND THE ONE BELOW FORM A “SPOT THE DIFFERENCE” PAIR.
VIEW FROM POWELL JAR OF PULPIT ROCK AND LIGHTHOUSE. ALSO IN PHOTO IS THE RAISED BEACH, CENTRE LEFT. A RECENT VIEW IS BELOW. THE ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS ON THE LEFT ARE THE DEGAUSSING ESTABLISHMENT.
ANOTHER OLD PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE AREA COVERED IN THE RECENT PICTURE ABOVE.
![JH0919 JH0919](../assets/images/JH0919.jpg)
THE SEA AT PORTLAND BILL TAKEN FROM MARSHALL’S RANCH.
PULPIT ROCK AND PADDLE STEAMER, 1921
PORTLAND BILL FROM AIR.
VIEW FROM LIGHTHOUSE OF OUTING TO PORTLAND BILL 1936
WALLSEND COVE
![jc0513 jc0513](../assets/images/jc0513.jpg)
![JH04154a JH04154a](../assets/images/JH04154a.jpg)
![67569005a 67569005a](../assets/images/67569005a.jpg)
BLACKNORE GORGE LIES TO THE WEST OF THE SOUTHWELL BUSINESS PARK. THESE PICTURES ARE SEPARATED BY ABOUT A CENTURY.
BLACKNOR POINT
![JH06151a JH06151a](../assets/images/JH06151a.gif)
BLACKNOR FORT SITS HIGH ON THE PROMONTORY. THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THIS BUILDING CAN BE READ HERE.
WEST CLIFF
![JH06163 JH06163](../assets/images/JH06163.jpg)
![PT0308a PT0308a](../assets/images/PT0308a.jpg)
CHESIL COVE AND WESTCLIFF. NOTE OLD QUARRYMAN'S BUILDING, SINCE DEMOLISHED. FOR A RECENT VIEW OF THIS SCENE PLEASE SEE BELOW.
A RECENT PICTURE FROM NORTH OF BLACKNOR FORT SHOWING THE REMAINS OF THE STONE WORKERS’ HUT IN THE PREVIOUS PICTURE. NOTE ALSO THE REMAINS OF A WORLD WAR 2 GUN MOUNTING ON THE CLIFF EDGE.
ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE STONE WORKERS’ HUT IN MODERN TIMES
BELOW IS A RECENT PICTURE TAKEN FROM THE SAME PLACE.
CHISWELL
CHESIL COVE BEFORE THE ESPLANADE WAS BUILT. NOTE THE YOUNG BOY PADDLING WHILST WEARING A CAP. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
WEST WEARES. NOTE THE SMALL CAF�.
CHESIL COVE c1920s. BATHERS RELAXING.
THE NEW MARINE WALK, CHESIL COVE
CHESIL BEACH AND FORTUNESWELL 1920.
UNDERHILL BEFORE THE PROMENADE AND AIR STATION WERE BUILT.
CHESIL COVE 1929.
CHESIL COVE 1929.
SHAMBLES LIGHTSHIP
Keywords Portland Dorset Coast Coastline Dockyards Mere Castletown East Weares Church Ope Cove Godnor Wallsend Cove Portland Bill Lighthouse Shambles West Weares Chiswell Chesil Beach Ferrybridge SITIP Steps In Time GJK01305
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