Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Early Ryde Esplanade

Old photograph of Ryde Esplanade

This shows the inner and outer basins, also lock gates and the sheds on the Quay.  Built in 1859 by the Isle of Wight Ferry Company, together with the Victoria Pier. The idea was to compete with Ryde Pier by running a boat service from the Victoria Pier to Stokes Bay, a quicker journey, than into Portsmouth.

The company had money troubles and could not complete the pier, having to use their rival’s pier at low tide.  After a few years they sold out to the Ryde Pier Co, who turned the Victoria Pier into a bathing pier and carried on running the docks and basin.

During these works in February 1859, the ferry company sent a report to the Commissioners of two serious  inconveniences which had engaged the anxious considerations of the Directors.  The breaking of the sea over the east of the works and the adjoining esplanade during a strong south or south-east wind; the other, the accumulation of sea weed in the tidal basin at various seasons under the influence of a north-west wind.  For the purpose of removing these objections, and of affording improved access to the works, and the Esplanade and the shore, application has been made to Parliament to enable the company to construct works on the east and west for a small extent.

Source: RSHG Archive
Image: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett