Yow, that does look a little shakey. Great historic pic. I've have see a few of the steel pipe remains on nearly every Island around MA/RI,. There are some remains even on Block between ballards and the shoot and I think on the west side as well. It must have been a popular approach back then. I doubt they could cast that far with the line (and equipment) they had back then and a stand made sence.
Its hard to find good "chummers" anymore anyway. Heard they went union.
It is just as well that they don't exist anymore...the quarreling that would go out there would ruin the experience of it. I would like to fish from one only to experience what they went thru back then. I bet in a 40knot blow it was quite the white knuckle drill.