Research Document - A History of Pleasure Cruises from the Pier

The Waverley backing away from the Pier for the last time in 1980. It did make one more try in later years, but was unable to land because the sea was too rough.

In its first years, Hastings Pier’s main role was to provide musical entertainment and theatre in the pavilion, along with supplying space and facilities for promenaders and anglers. Its large expanse of open decking was a parade for many people, especially the slightly better-off who liked to be seen in their fashionable attire. The tollgate fee at the entrance may have deterred the poorest of local people, but Hastings was cheap compared with other piers. The Pier had also been built with landing stages on both sides of the pavilion, 200 feet long by eight feet wide, suitable for small pleasure steamers and local craft, such as row-boats and yachts.