Postcards from Chesil
Portland 1920-1940

This page shows pictures from Portland at the southern end of Chesil Beach. These pictures continue the sequence from 1920 to 1940. The pictures are arranged in time sequence determined by the progressive development of the area.

Click on an image to see a higher resolution version of the picture.

Postmarked August 1921

Eight oil tanks have now appeared, presumably built during the First World War. The school (built 1913) and the first houses in Three Yards Close have appeared.

192?

This card is not postmarked but is believed to have been taken during the late 1920's. The first of the huts on the Weares have appeared and there are now at least 18 oil tanks on The Mere. The rifle range on Chesil Beach can be seen. Note the two steam trains, one each side of Chiswell station.

1931-1935

This card can be dated to the range 1931-1935 by the hulk of the Madeleine Tristran, a schooner wrecked on Chesil Beach in September 1930 (bottom left-hand corner of picture). This wreck unfortunately landed on top of the sewer pipe running out into Lyme Bay. Subsequent cards all show a slick presumably emanating from the replacement/repaired sewer pipe. The wreck remained on the beach for 5 years before it was removed.

Close inspection of this picture shows a line of men stretching from the shoreline up and over the beach and down to the grassy area by the Masonic Lodge. there is also a small group of people watching this activity.