THE ADMIRALTY PIER

The Admiralty Pier Kiosk

There is a Kiosk situated in the Turret are between the 1st and 2nd halves of the Pier. This will be open at advertised times during the summer months for the sale of soft drinks, crisps, confectionery, ice cream, etc.

The Admiralty pier is open for all-night fishing every Friday and Saturday night throughout the year.

The second half of the Admiralty Pier gives excellent views of the Harbour and Dover Castle, plus the non-stop shipping at the busiest port in England.  With the completion of the two Cruise Berths, activity on the Pier is very busy with a Cruise Liner berthing virtually everyday during the Summer.  For a full schedule list, go to www.doverport.co.uk.  The coming and going of passengers and stores can be witnessed from the viewing platform at the Turret are near the Kiosk and Toilets.  In the year 2000, over 18,000 anglers paid for access to fish the Admiralty.  This increased to 20,000 in 2001 and increased again in 2002 to over 21,000 anglers, proving that the Admiralty Pier is one, if not the best Pier for fishing in the South East or even the country!  

The Admiralty Pier was found to be structurally unsafe after the Hurricane of 1987 and closed immediately. The Dover Harbour Board kindly agreed to lease the Pier to us if we repaired it to safety standards. The Dover Sea Angling Association (founded in 1903) borrowed £180,000 in order to concrete the walkway, install safety fencing and have new posts cast to match those remaining and still erect. Eventually the Pier was re-opened in 1989 and is now manned by DSAA staff. Ticket monies go toward the Pier Stewards wages for selling tickets, keeping the Pier clean, printing, refuse sacks, bleach, disinfectant, lifebelts and general maintenance often needed after storms. Our stewards all put in many patient hours for our sport.

The Storms of 1999

 Almost every bit as bad as the Hurricane of 1987, 12 years later, the persistent Storms of Christmas 1999 caused considerable damage to the Admiralty Pier.   Solid cast iron posts, stanchions and fencing were snapped and torn away from the concrete along the entire length of the Admiralty Pier.  The toilet cisterns and doors were ripped from their fixings, the toilet roof lifted off and brickwork cracked.  There was a total loss of lifebelts and litter bins and some substantial pieces of concrete were missing from the walkway.  Although the Pier remained open, extensive repairs were necessary in order to bring it up to the required standard.  Brand new toilets were completed towards the end of 2002 and all other work was finally finished by Easter 2003.  Costing in the region of £50,000, it was necessary to increase Pier Tolls in order to cover the expense.  

The Admiralty Pier as we know it, was first built between 1847 and 1871 and the second half was added in 1902. In the centre of the Pier, a turret hides twin 80 ton muzzle loading guns, made and installed in 1882. At that time, it was the biggest gun in the world and preceded two 100 ton guns made for Malta and Gibraltar. The guns were never fired in anger and new breech loading soon made them obsolete. The guns are not available for tours at this time. (For more free literature, send an s.a.e. to the DSAA Clubhouse, c/o "Tunny"). The Admiralty Pier is certainly one of the most prolific venues in the country for angling results. Mackerel, Dogfish, Whiting, Pollack, big Bass, Cod and Smoothounds are regularly caught in the appropriate seasons. In 1978, J. Castle, a DSAA member, landed a Sting Ray of 41lb and even sharks have been sighted in hot summers. With Mackerel being caught in large numbers in the first week of April 1999, who can tell what's in store for the years ahead!

The Admiralty Pier, circa 1899

The first half of the Admiralty Pier showing Ferry Terminal with passengers disembarking Steam trains and boarding Paddle Steamers to Calais.  Granite blocks can be seen stored in the Rail yard ready for construction of the Extension and Breakwater