Description

D & T Stevenson, engineers, 1880s. Concrete tidal harbour, covering approximately 8 acres. Inner harbour roughly in D-shape, N Pier

(730 ft) with hammerhead, S Pier along shore with Middle Pier projecting to enclose harbour. Outer breakwater to NW (450 ft) with short projecting feature to N at end. Protecting wall on N Pier only, up to 10 ft high with access steps. Middle pier paved with whinstone setts. Cast-iron capstans.

Statement of Interest

There was an earlier harbour on this site from 1679, which once functioned as the port for Prestonpans. This was totally destroyed by storm in 1810, leaving the fishermen in dire straits until the completion of Cockenzie Harbour (see separate listing) in 1835. The later introduction there of harbour dues for fishermen increased the pressure for the reconstruction of Port Seton?s haven. This was achieved in 1880 for nearly ?12,000, largely raised by subscription from the fishing community itself, with free land and a ?2,000 donation from Lord Wemyss. The Middle Pier was added soon after in 1885 for a further ?5,000. Before World War 1, Cockenzie and Port Seton had more than 650 fishermen and nearly 150 registered boats.

The harbour is listed category B as an early example of mass concrete construction. There is a range of stores, sheds and fish curers by the inner harbour which are not included in the listing.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17796514

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)