Engineer behind historic Roker Pier honoured with Blue Plaque

Henry Hay Wake was the brains behind Sunderland's much-loved  Roker Pier, which was hailed as a triumph of engineering when it first opened in the early 1900s.

Now, a blue plaque commemorating his outstanding contribution has been unveiled near the entrance to the pier that is seen as his greatest achievement.

Just 25 years old when he became Chief Engineer of the River Wear Commissioners in 1868, Henry designed, engineered and constructed Roker Pier, Tunnel and Lighthouse between 1885 and 1903.

He even designed and patented a wide range of machinery to construct the pier including a huge crane, nicknamed Goliath because of its size, as well as carrying out extensive improvements to the Port of Sunderland.

After undergoing an extensive £2.5m restoration funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Sunderland City Council, the Grade II listed pier reopened to the public in 2015.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City at Sunderland City Council, said: "As an outstanding engineer and a proud son of Sunderland, it's only right that we should honour Henry Hay Wake in this way.

"Roker Pier is a triumph of Victorian engineering and the lighthouse stands out as monument to Henry's skills, craftsmanship and vision, and those of the people of Sunderland.

"He even designed the crane which manoeuvred into place the huge 45 ton granite faced blocks that formed the pier as well as much of the other machinery used in its construction, so he really was a remarkable man and someone of whom we should be hugely proud."

Maureen McCartney from the Sunderland Seafront Trust, whose volunteers run the popular tours of the restored tunnel running the entire length of the pier and the lighthouse, said: "Whenever we take tours and tell people about Henry Hay Wake and his incredible designs and achievements, no-one has ever heard of him, not even the local people on the tours. We thought he was such a skilled engineer and as a local man we should publicise his achievements, and so contacted Sunderland City Council to install a blue plaque in his honour."

Lasting 90-120 minutes, the ever popular tours explore the incredible history behind the construction of Roker Pier and the people involved in making it a reality. Guided through the unique experience by volunteers, visitors get to walk the length of the pier tunnel before climbing steps to the top of the lighthouse to take in the incredible views. 

Following recent storm damage which has kept the pier closed, the tours are due to resume again in April. The Seafront Trust is also looking for new volunteers who are interested in being involved in the pier tours. Anyone who is interested should contact rokerpier@outlook.com

The latest plaque is part of the city's wider network of Blue Plaques which are used across the country to indicate places of historic significance. Sunderland now has over 70 commemorative blue plaques spread throughout the city marking buildings, places of interest or influential people with connections to the area. Details of the city's network of Blue Plaques are available here:  https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/heritage-blue-plaques
 
For more information on the Pier tours visit: Welcome to Roker Pier Tours | Roker Pier