CPR Pier D
The Canadian Pacific Railway embarked on a series of expansions in the years 1910-15.
These included new railway equipment, ships, yards and the Second Hotel Vancouver.
With the CPR expanding its Canadian Pacific Navigation Company, and it fleets running both
Coastally—to Seattle, Victoria, BC and Alaska—and Internationally—to Japan, China, and Hong Kong;
the CPR needed more wharf space in Vancouver harbour.
It had the CPR pier A which was really a single decked freight shed, and a small pier running
parallel to the shore next to the train station. Thus the CPR built CPR Pier D on the water
in front of the station. This is roughly the site where the Seabus terminal is now.
CPR coastal vessels docked here. The large wooden dock, in a "New York" pier style, was opened
in 1914.
The Pier burned down in Vancouver's most spectacular fire on July 27, 1938. The
same summer as the Tillamook Fire and the Campbell River fire. The pier was not
rebuilt.
