Disastrous Demolition

In 1978, after a series of vicious gales lashed the Kent coast in England, the Margate Pier was declared 'unsafe'. Margate Council decided to take down the pier manually before it collapsed, possibly causing injury or serious damage.

By January, 1979, a demolition team had been hired and was on the scene to begin the well-publicized destruction. Crowds of people lined the shores and vantage points to watch the 'show'. Quantities of gelignite were in place and the countdown began... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Kaboom!

When the dust settled, so to speak, the pier was found to be undamaged. The second attempt caused a rivet to become dislodged and to embed itself into the wall of a sea-front pub. For safety reasons, the police insisted that all future attempts be made at high tide. This resulted in attempt number four to take place after midnight, literally shaking the population of Margate's sea front out of their beds.

Following the tenth attempt to bring down the pier, a Margate counselor suggested that, because of the vast crowds the explosions were attracting (far-away families were making a holiday of it!), perhaps the explosions should be made a weekly tourist attraction.

After four more attempts (that's #14 to those who are keeping count!), the demolition team was 'retired' and a replacement company was employed. After their first attempt (#15), the lifeboat house was visibly tilted.