The first section was completed in 1842 at the expense of Lord John Rolle and so enabled the development of Exmouth as a resort. This phase was 1900 feet (590m) in length and constructed of Devon limestone. John Smeaton (1806-1842) its designer, worked on Rennie's London Bridge and later became Supervisor-in-Chief of the London Dock Company. No connection is known with his namesake John Smeaton (1724-0792), the celebrated engineer and designer of Plymouth's Eddystone Lighthouse