The picture of New Brighton by was painted in 18 The first pier (shown at the left of the picture, was constructed of timber and a small "run-out" section was added later. During ebb-tides the ferry boat, as it left the stage, would haul the stage out, to enable the next boat to use the birth.

[Ref: http://www.merseyside.net/newbrighton/Pages/NBferries.htm]