In March, 1595, an attempt was made by the men from the Cobb of Lyme to rebuild the pier. The first winter storm blew away, and a new work was begun. The Corporation Records contain several entries relating to the rebuilding. The work was completed. "Behold," says the records, "when men were most secure and thought the work to be perpetual, on All Saints' Day, 1597, appeared the mighty force of God, and overthrew this large work in less than an hour, to the great terror and amazement of all beholders." The Corporation were left in debt and the designs seem to have been for the time abandoned. Another attempt was made in 1635 by an eminent Dutch Engineer, to make a fresh harbour at the Priory Stream, at an estimated cost of £220,000, but nothing came of the movement. It was during Elizabeth's reign, in 1588, that Hastings received its charter of incorporation, with a Mayor and Twelve Jurats. Up to this time the chief Magistrate had borne the title of Bailiff; the first Mayor chosen was Thomas Have.
So far as the provision of a harbour is concerned, although the plans were made in the first half of the last century, for an expensive one from the Priory to the East Cliffs, the enormous cost made it an impossibility. The last attempt was made about 1893, when was begun the harbour at the Fishmarket, the arm of which remains as a reminder of the fact that for the period of over 300 years there has been at least seven attempts at building a harbour, none of which have proved practical propositions.
A plan of the Elizabethan pier, and the new work of 1S97 is given on p. 94, Vol. XIV., "Suss. Arch. Coll." It must be remembered that upon the destruction by the sea of the Saxon town clustering around the Priory, of which accounts are preserved, the "New Burg," sprung up in the Bourne Valley which we now know as the Old Town, between the East and West Hills. Up to the beginning of the 17th century it was practically confined to this valley.
The Official Records of Hastings contain the following
" 1601 (October 4) Richard Life, jurat, and Sir Thomas Sherley, Knight, were chosen Barons to Parliament.
" 1602 (June 11). Election of Thomas Nicholl as bailiff of the Bourne with instructions to have diligent care for those that lay their filth above the full sea mark. (This refers to the Bourne Stream running through the town.)
"1603 (July 11). At a meeting of the Brotherhood and Guestling decided how the Barons were to be apparelled for the Coronation of Kin^ Edward IV."
