“Prior to that date there was a rickety paperbark construction mainly used by fishermen to reach the beach. The footbridge was supposedly built by council, but the council has no record of its construction. 

“The second footbridge was supposed to be used by the Pilot when going out to the ships, but as the Pilot Station closed in 1926 this is very unlikely. 

“The Pilot could have used the first footbridge at times but usual practice was for the Pilot more to join the row boat as it left the Pilot Boatshed rather than attempt a tricky embarkation and dangerous debarkation on the sea wall.

“I have been told by one gentleman that as a boy he went with his father along the footbridge to the sea wall where they lit a carbide lamp in particular and other lamps for the guidance of shipping. 

“He said that he could still see the marks of the carbide on the rocks where they were emptied each morning. I looked the white marks he referred to but am not sure they are caused by carbide from so long ago. Nevertheless I do not doubt his story. 

“At the time there was a corrugated iron shed on the wall and I have seen a photograph showing what could be that particular shed. Storm, erosion and vandalism has presumable removed the winch, shed, rail tracks and other machinery or equipment used on the sea wall.”

*Information provided by Bellingen’s Gordon Jacob.