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Figs. 2.57 & 2.58: Fishery Beach, c. 1910. (R1152, WCA & RS). First rail viaduct (1890)
narrowed beach exposing boats to high tides and storms that damaged them. In 1906
gantries made of old rail-lines with pulleys to hoist 20 boats above wave-wash. Remaining
22 boats dragged to high ground elsewhere. Gantries became rickety. In 1913 Breakwater
built creating safe deep water berths and moorings. Traditional sailing beach boats
replaced by larger motorized ones; vacated beach became recreational beach. Second rail
viaduct (1927) further narrowed beach. Enlarged slipway (1964) further reduced usable
beach area.
Today: siltation has created broad beach; storm-water drains still spill onto beach, and
sometimes sewage, creating unhygienic conditions. Popular beach in summer. Many
historic road-side houses in background still extant.