Piers and jetties

Mudros Harbour was deep, but its shore waters shallow. The harbour did not have adequate landing facilities, resulting in the use of floating depot ships. Piers and jetties were essential to landing personnel and supplies, and so a series of them were constructed.

In early April the Australians immediately got to work building a stone and timber pier near their camp in East Mudros. The restored Australian Pier is part of the military heritage existing on Lemnos today. It gives truth to the words of Corporal G.E. Richards: ‘One thing the inhabitants will remember us by is a pier built by our engineers for our use. It is known as the Australian pier.’

Egyptian Pier was north of Australian Pier. The British and French, who also set up camp at East Mudros, built piers to the south of the town. Sports Pier was farther south again, close to Meganoros Point.

As the base expanded and many ships moved through the harbour, West Mudros evolved. Eleven piers and jetties were built on the northern and southern shores of Turks Head Peninsula. These were likely erected from July onwards and operated until the Allies left Lemnos in early 1916. Another two jetties were built next to Sarpi Rest Camp.