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Mr Piercy’s “walking” pile-driver commenced its operations, arousing considerable

interest as it walked into the sea and adjusted its legs to the depth of the sea bed. It carried
its own lifting and driving machinery and Piercy patented it and it was subsequently used

in other parts of the world. (Fig. 3.11.)

The basic structural unit of the pier was a pile ie. a steel-reinforced concrete post 14 ins.
square, 45 – 52 ft long, and weighing 3 – 4 tons. Each one was fabricated on site in a yard

on the reclaimed land at the root of the Central Jetty, and there were 200 of them. (Figs.

3.12 - 3.15.) They were driven into the seabed down to bedrock by the electric pile-driver
mounted on the travelling stage, arranged in sets of 4, spaced 13 ft by 10 ft, and braced

horizontally. The spaces between sets was 18 ft crosswise and 27 ft lengthwise, so that

boats would be able to pass easily between them. The stage had to move 36 ft sideways to
put in each set and then 12 ft forward to plant the next set, and it planted at the rate of two

piles per day. The spacing was closer at the sea end, where a considerable amount of
heavy superstructure was to be built. Once they had all been planted they were topped off

at the same level, cross beams were set in place, and an in situ concrete deck cast on top.
This was later covered with paving slabs. Deck construction was rapid and took place at

the rate of 200 ft / month.

Completion of the Pier had been expected in 1912 but industrial unrest in England

delayed the delivery of materials and the project ran on into late 1913. It was formally
opened at 4 p.m. on Thursday 20 November 1913 by the Provincial Administrator, Sir

Frederick de Waal.

CAPE TOWN’S NEW PIER OPENED

Ceremony this Afternoon

A crash of joyous music, loud cheers from the enthusiastic citizens, and the
unfurling of Union Jacks on tower and turrets marked the occasion of Cape Town
entering into possession of her new pier this afternoon. The stately structure which
stretches 1,000 feet into the Bay, and which is expected to play such a prominent part in
the future of the City as a seaside resort – attracting visitors and providing for their
recreation and amusement – had assumed gala garb in honour of the event. An avenue of
gaily-coloured Venetian masts, from which suspended a mass of bunting and fairy lamps,