Waldon Hill & Torquay Harbour, Devon, circa 1880. Image: National Science & Media Museum/Flikr Torquay Harbour is the heart of the "English Riviera," a masterpiece of Victorian engineering that transformed a small fishing cove into one of the most prestigious ports in Europe. Here are 10 facts about Torquay Harbour, including its status in 1880: 1. The 1880 Modernization Peak By 1880, the harbor was in the middle of a massive transformation. The Haldon Pier (originally started in the 1860s) was being completed, turning the harbor into a safe "port of refuge." Before this, the harbor was largely open to the sea and dangerous during easterly gales. 2. A Private Playground In 1880, the harbor was not owned by the town, but by the Lord of the Manor, Sir Lawrence Palk . He invested heavily in the stone quays and the pier, specifically to attract the wealthy yachting crowd, rather than just commercial fishing boats. 3. The Arrival of the "Floating Palaces...
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