What is the Difference Between Jetty and Wharf

Jetty and wharf are two structures built near water bodies. People use them to get on or off boats, load and unload goods, or protect the shore from strong waves. Although they have similar purposes, there is a distinct difference between jetty and wharf.

What is the difference between jetty and wharf? A jetty helps protect the shore and guide boats, whereas a wharf helps with docking and loading or unloading ships.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Jetty  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Wharf
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Jetty and Wharf
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Jetty and Wharf
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Jetty and Wharf
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Jetty, Wharf, Pier

What is a Jetty

A jetty is a long, narrow structure that stretches from the shore out into the water. It helps to protect the coastline from strong waves, tides, and currents that can slowly wear away the land due to erosion. Jetties can be made from wood, stone, concrete, or even earth. They basically help keep the shoreline safe by acting like a barrier. Jetties are often found in coastal towns. They can become popular spots for sightseeing or fishing.

Some jetties are also used like walkways as they give people access to the water. They can also help guide ships through narrow channels. When jetties are built to help boats dock or unload cargo, they’re called piers.

One famous example of a jetty is the Swakopmund Jetty in Namibia. This was built in 1905 and is still enjoyed by tourists today. Another well-known jetty is the Spiral Jetty in Utah, USA. This is a massive, spiral-shaped earth sculpture created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970.

What is a Wharf

A wharf is a structure built along the edge of a harbor, river, or canal where ships can stop to load and unload cargo or passengers. A wharf generally has one or more berths, which are special spots where boats are tied up safely. It may also have buildings like warehouses for storing goods and equipment used to handle the cargo.

Wharves are often built as strong platforms, sometimes supported by large posts called pilings that go down into the water. In busy ports, there might be several wharves or one big one with many berths to handle more ships at once. If the cargo isn’t too heavy, a pier—which sticks out over the water—is often used instead.

Some modern wharves are built on floating platforms called pontoons. These rise and fall with the tides, so they stay level with the ship, making it easier to load and unload.

Moreover, in some parts of the world, like the UK, Canada, and Australia, people often call a wharf a quay (pronounced “key”). In the U.S., the word wharf is more commonly used.

Similarities Between Jetty and Wharf

1. Both are man-made structures built near or in water.
2. They are generally used in maritime activities like docking and mooring vessels.
3. Both help facilitate the movement of people and goods between land and water.
4. Moreover, they can be constructed using similar materials like concrete, wood, or steel.

Difference Between Jetty and Wharf

Definition

• A jetty is a structure that extends into the water to protect the shoreline or guide ships, whereas a wharf is a flat platform built along the shore where ships dock to load or unload goods and passengers.

Purpose

• A jetty mainly protects the shoreline or harbor from waves and currents, whereas a wharf allows ships to dock and load or unload cargo and passengers.

Structure

• A jetty usually extends into the water and can be made of stone, concrete, or wood, while a wharf is a platform built along the shore or extending into the water, often supported by pilings.

FAQ: Jetty and Wharf

1. What is the difference between a wharf and pier?

A pier extends out into the water and it is generally built at a right angle to the shore. Boats can dock on either side of it, and it’s often used for loading, unloading, or even walking and fishing. A wharf, on the other hand, is built along the shoreline and runs parallel to it.

2. What is the difference between a jetty and a quay?

A jetty is a structure that extends into the water. It is generally used for docking boats or ships, and often projects out from the shore. However, a quay is a solid platform or dock along the shoreline where ships can load and unload cargo and it is usually built parallel to the shore.

3. What is the difference between a wharf and a berth?

A wharf is a structure along the shore where ships dock, while a berth is the specific space where a ship is moored at a wharf or dock.

4. Why is it called a wharf?

The word “wharf” comes from the Old English word “hwearf,” which is related to the Old Dutch word “werf.” Both words originally meant “yard,” and referred to an outdoor area where work is done. Over time, these terms evolved to specifically describe places like shipyards or lumberyards.

Reference:

1. “Jetty.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Wharf.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Jetty, Swakopmund, Namibia, 2018-08-04, DD 68-70 HDR” By Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Fishing Boats Docked at San Francisco Wharf” (CC0) via Pexels.com.