Seaview history

The village of Seaview appears to date back to Edwardian times (circa 1800) when a collection of cottages were built to house local workers. The local industries revolved around fishing and shipping and working the salt pans in the local marshes to extract the salt.

By 1870 the population of Seaview had grown to 3000, and Squire Glynn, owner of the Seagrove Estate, decided to develop Seaview into a fashionable resort and the village evolved to accommodate this new tourist trade. Seaview was soon seen as an exclusive resort amongst the Victorians. In 1877 the Seaview Pier Company was formed to build Seaview a promenading pier, and approval for a 350-yard-long pier was given by Parliament in 1878. In addition to the pier, many large house were built at this time to serve as holiday retreats as well as the sea wall which stretches all the way to Ryde.

The pier was finished in 1881, and was 1000 feet long and 15 feet wide. There were four towers from which the pier deck was suspended, and the cables used were strong enough to hold 30,000 people - half the island's population - at the time. A small pavilion was built on the pier head, as was a crane. At the shore end, there were two buildings, one for the Piermaster, and one a waiting room. By the end of September 1861 16,000 people had used the pier, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. The pier was very artistic and aesthetically beautiful, and also swayed as you walked along it.

Not as many paddle steamers called at Seaview Pier as had been hoped, but the pier was still profitable - the pier head was expanded by 50 feet in 1889, and again in 1901. Electric lights were installed in 1905, and in 1914 the pier company decided to increase profits by buying its own steamer. Sadly, after buying the Alleyn, war was declared and all steamers were commandeered for war work. After the war, no steamers returned to the pier, only small launches carrying passengers.

During World War II the pier was used by the Royal Navy, especially during the preparations for D-Day. After the war it was in need of repair, and despite it being listed as a building of special architectural and historic interest in 1950, it was too late. Within a month of Seaview Pier being listed, disaster struck as on Boxing Day and the 28th December 1950, the island suffered the worst gales for 45 years. 20-foot-high waves and 70mph winds totally destroyed the pier, leaving only beautiful photographs, and fond memories.

To this day, Seaview remains a popular holiday destination and still has many holiday homes making it a much quieter village during the winter, but becoming a bustling seaside resort during the holiday season. Some historical reviews of Seaview may be seen here

ISLE OF WIGHT HISTORY

The Isle of Wight as we all know is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK owing to its fascinating and alluring natural beauty and scenic views. However, not many of us know about the rich history and heritage associated with the Isle of Wight. Flair of roman culture, resorts and hotels of Victorian era, relics belonging to bronze and iron ages, significant historical sites and dinosaur bones and fossil remnants, the island is a gem belonging to prehistoric period.

Early history

The first to arrive were the Beakers in 1900 BC along with them their distinctive culture and art of pottery. They called the Island Wiht (weight) meaning raised or what rises over the sea. Then the Romans arrived in 43 AD and translated Wiht into the name Vectis from the Latin veho meaning lifting. The Saxons ruled the island in 530 AD by Cerdic and Cynric. After Cerdic’s death, the kingdom was divided into two parts between his nephews Stuf and Wihtgar. Wulfhure, King of the Mercians, overthrew King Stuf and his successors.

It was not until in 686 AD that the West Saxon King, Caedwalla of Wessex took over the charge of the Isle of Wight and forced people to convert to Christianity. For nearly two centuries the people of Wight lived peacefully until terror struck again. This time it was the Danes who arrived on this peaceful island and destroyed the serenity for nearly 100 years. Alfred the Great’s navy fought with the Danes and ousted them.

Middle ages

During the Norman Conquest, William, the conqueror passed the lordship to his relative William Fitzosburn. He founded the castle at Carisbrooke and again the lordship changed hands. De Redvers Family inherited the Island of Wight in 1101. The sole survivor of the family of De Redvers, Countess Isabella De Fortibus sold the island to Edward I in 1293. It was sold for six thousand marks.

After more than 150 years, Henry VI gave the title of King of the Isle of Wight to Henry Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick in the year 1444 at a ceremony held on the Isle of Wight. After the death of Duke, there was no heir to the island. Henry VIII was responsible for outfitting the island with armoury at Yarmouth, Sandown, East and west Cowes, making Portsmouth as the base of his naval operations.

During the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, Spain threatened to attack. As a counter attack measure, the outer fortifications of the Carisbrooke Castle were built in 1597.

Modern history

During the 19^th century, Queen Victoria made Osborne her summer retreat in consequence of the ease of accessibility due to coming of railways on the island. The Osborne house soon transformed to a permanent house for the Queen. The family treaded in the same path and her daughter made Carisbrooke castle her summer getaway. Also during the Queens rule, Marconi founded the world’s first radio station at the Needles battery. The Needles battery was also used as a test site for rockets- Black Arrow and Black Knight.

After the Queen’s death in 1944, the seventh Duke of Wellington was appointed as the Governor of the island. Earl Mountbatten as the first Lord Lieutenant succeeded the Duke in 1966. Following his death, the Isle of Wight has never had a replacement Governor.