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Langevin Pier

a colour aerial photograph of Cobourg Harbour showing a long breakwater at the bottom almost meeting the end of another pier to the right, leaving a narrow entrance into the harbour. The water is blue and inside the harbour sailboats are anchored or moored at a marina. On the shore from left to right are condominium buildings large tents erected for the Cobourg Festival and trailers parked in front of a sandy beach. In the distance are business buildings, residences and green trees.

Credit: Cobourg Tourism

The Langevin Pier was built by the Federal Government to protect the Harbour. It was completed in 1876, but an extension undertaken in 1882-83 brought it to its present length, so that it now encloses what is called the “west basin”. This provides an area where a multitude of activities take place, being a sanctuary for wildlife, nature lovers and small craft users.

It is evident in the picture that part of the west basin or inner harbour is quite shallow. Cobourg owns a dredger called the Marie Dressler, named after the famous Hollywood actress. Marie was born in Cobourg and went on to win an Academy Award for her performance in the 1930 comedy Min and Bill. She became widely known as Tugboat Annie, the character who starred in the 1933 film of the same name. Her namesake, the dredger, is used to keep the whole harbour navigable.