James Gray: Two photographs of the damaged Pier [see also jgc_02_080 below]. Damage near to the entrance resulting from the storm which destroyed the Chain Pier, December 1896. jgc_02_082
James Gray: Sadly, this photograph needs no explanation, the state of dilapidation speaks for itself. Ever since the closure of the pier in 1975, years of neglect have taken their toll and one wonders whether it can ever be saved, or even be completely reconstructed. jgc_02_116
James Gray: See caption for jgc_02_116 above. jgc_02_115
James Gray: The havoc wreaked to the pier during its enforced closure in the Second World War is vividly demonstrated in this photograph, taken at the end of the war when the beach had been reopened. The severance between the two halves of the pier can be clearly seen. jgc_02_114
James Gray: Another of the many photographs of the damage caused to the Pier consequent upon the destruction of the Chain Pier on December 4th 1896. jgc_01_016
James Gray: On the night of 4th December 1896, the old Chain Pier was destroyed by a storm. The sturdy oak piles of the old pier were swept along the shore first eastwards and then west. These acted as battering rams and caused considerable damage to the steel piles and the wooden deck of the West Pier. jgc_02_068
James Gray: Severe damage was also caused to the new sea wall, which had been constructed as recently as 1894. An interesting feature is the stone groyne at right angles to the sea wall. Owing to the accumulation of shingle this often becomes hidden. jgc_02_069
James Gray: More photographs of the damage to the pier following the gale of December 4th 1896 in which the Chain Pier was destroyed. jgc_02_072
James Gray: More photographs of the damage to the pier following the gale of December 4th 1896 in which the Chain Pier was destroyed. jgc_02_073 and jgc_02_074
James Gray: Another photograph (by E Hawkins & Co. whose premises were at 32, 33 and 38 Preston Street, Brighton) of the damage to the Pier, following the destruction of the Chain Pier on December 4th 1896. jgc_02_075
James Gray: More photographs of the damage to the pier following the gale of December 4th 1896 in which the Chain Pier was destroyed. jgc_02_077
James Gray: Two photographs of the damaged Pier [see also jgc_02_082 above]. December 1896. Above damage to the landing stage, period not known. jgc_02_080
James Gray: On this, and the following pages, are photographs of the Pier taken in the afternoon of Sunday September 28th 1975, two days before the Pier closed for good, on the 30th. By then the seaward end of the pier was already closed, from just above the Concert Hall, as in reasonable condition, at least so far as the decking, railings and other things were concerned, but doubtless the supporting piles, girders and landing stages were giving danger signals and in the interests of public safety closure was decided upon. jgc_02_102 and jgc_02_103