Jetty the place to see and be seen

Geraldton’s future as a port was decided long before a detachment of sweating redcoats rowed ashore and raised the British flag in 1849.

Its founders could not have dreamed of what it was to become, but the sheltered waters of Champion Bay meant it was always going to be a port.

As farmers arrived and took up land, Geraldton prospered and bigger boats began arriving.

However, those sheltered waters were too shallow close to shore, and the Colonial Government was soon planning what would be known as the Esplanade Jetty.

In 1857 a timber pier was built at the foot of Gregory Street, which then ran in a straight line to Marine Terrace.

It resembled a British beachside pleasure pier, complete with a bandstand.

This first attempt proved barely adequate as a wharf.

Its 244m length meant the water was still too shallow for boats larger than 100 tonnes to berth.

This created a healthy business for owners of small craft called lighters, ferrying cargo to and from ships anchored in deeper water, and a slipway enhanced the pier’s value to the town’s growing fishing fleet.

It may not have been a success as a wharf, but throughout its life it was hugely popular for recreation — even if it was only to be seen there.

Promenading along the Esplanade Jetty in one’s Sunday best was a social highlight of the week.

It was also a sporting venue, with swimming races held alongside the platform, while the slipway was used, when available, by racing skiffs from Geraldton Yacht Club.

Its working life effectively ended when the much longer Railway Jetty was built out from Durlacher Street in 1893, but the Esplanade Jetty remained a popular meeting place until its 1944 demolition.

The Railway Jetty had taken its place and was replaced in turn by the land-backed wharf, but neither enjoyed the social status of the Esplanade Jetty.