OVERVIEW

Brighton, despite the lack of natural shelter offered on this part of the South Coast, has been a port since the 14th Century. The town's proximity to, and good communications with, London, even in the days of horse drawn vehicles, accounted mainly for this. A thriving fishing community has also existed for many centuries.

The lack of shelter brought many proposals over the years, for the construction of a proper harbour; the first in 1806 was for a wharf, graving dock and 50 warehouses.

In 1823, the Chain Pier was constructed and in 1830, a Captain Brown brought forward a proposal, which would have used the Chain Pier as a breakwater, infilling the structure with chalk. This idea was dismissed as being too costly.