Melancholy clown who wrecks wharves (7)

I believe the answer is:

pierrot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'melancholy clown' is the definition.
'pierrot' can be an answer for 'clown' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'melancholy' bit.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pierrot that I've seen before include "Seaside clown" , "French pantomime character with a white face" , "Aged entertainer" , "French panto clown with whitened face" , "I report on French pantomime clown" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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