Isle of Wight Observer October 20, 1860
OLD PIER HEAD – The balustrading of the new head to this pier was completed last week by the eminent iron founders Messrs Mew and Thorne. It is a most substantial and ornamental piece of work, and a great improvement upon the old wooden railing. It relieves one of the thought that it might give way and plunge an unfortunate crowd, if not into eternity, at any rate into the sea. The accommodation afforded by this splendid addition to the pier has not, of course, been felt so great yet as it will be another season, providing that the weather does not prove so unpropitious as it has this. Should the Ferry Company’s pier be ever carried out to the length described in some of their plans Ryde will have two of the finest, if not the finest, marine promenades on the British coasts; and the fact should be advertised upon every opportunity, for it will prove no small attraction in bringing visitors here, especially those who wish for the benefits of a sea excursion but dread “that sea acting as a strong emetic”.
