Pier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A pier is a raised structure, includin brig an biggin supports an walkways, ower watter, teepically supportit bi widely spread piles or pillars. The lichter structure o a pier allaws tides an currents tae flow almaist unhindered, whauras the mair solit foundations o a quay or the closely-spaced piles o a wharf can act as a fleet-dyke, an are consequently mair liable tae siltin. Piers can range in size an complexity frae a semple lichtweight widden structure tae major structures extendit ower a mile oot tae sea.
Piers hae been biggit for several different purposes, an acause thir different purposes hae distinct regional variances, the term pier tends tae hae different nuances o meanin in different pairts o the warld. Sicweys in North Americae an Australie, whaur mony ports wur, till recently, biggit on the multiple pier model, the term tends tae imply a current or umwhile cargo-handlin facility. In Europe housomeivver, whaur ports hae tended tae uise basins an river-side quays rather than piers, the term is principally associatit wi the image o a Victorian yatlin pleasure pier. Housomeivver, the earliest piers pre-date the Victorian age.