South Breakwater Pier

Despite the existence of the earlier Inner South Breakwater there was an ongoing need for more quay space and better facilities in Aberdeen’s harbour. The 1868 Act of Parliament, which allowed the Dee to be diverted and a third extension to the North Pier to be built, also legislated for this breakwater.

The works were carried out between 1869 and 1874. This structure was much larger than the Inner South Breakwater and is built of concrete. A gale in 1937 tore a 100 foot gap in the Breakwater. Repair work began in 1938, was stopped during the Second World War and resumed in 1954. At that time the Breakwater was widened.

The works involved constructing 30 ton concrete blocks in a yard close to the Breakwater. These were loaded onto a Sentinel steam waggon by crane and transferred to a Titan crane, named ‘Goliath’. The completed Breakwater is 1050 feet in length and 35 feet in width.

source: The Torry Coastal Trail.