Hull trawler was grounded within one mile of the harbour entrance
MAYBE the summer season is not the best time to engage in stories of ship-wreck and there will be others who will insist to the opposite.
So be it. We will reminisce about the grounding of the Hull trawler Gamecock, between Bishopstone beach and the harbour on September 1, 1908, barely out of the height of the holiday season.
Our victim, the leader of the pack of Pickering & Waldanes of Hull, had already had a frightening experience when trawling in the area of the Dogger Bank four years earlier. On that occasion a war was in progress involving Russia and Japan.
Things were not going too well for the former, so it was decided to bring out their Baltic fleet to improve their situation.
It was night when they reached the open sea and for some reason the humble lights of the fishing fleet conveyed the suggestion that the enemy had arrived to confront them.
Strange thinking these days, but then communication was a very different matter. One trawler was sunk and two crew members killed.
An apology and compensation were accepted. Our status in the world at those times would have expected nothing less.
Why the Gamecock was in the Newhaven area in 1908, I have no suggestion. It was on passage to somewhere and, because of head winds and rough seas, was running short of coal. Being steam driven, it would be like us running out of petrol with our cars.
When she grounded she was within a mile of the harbour entrance. Groynes were plentiful along the shore, as they were at Seaford. Perhaps the presence of the breakwater was already being felt.
The trawler grounded and the services of the Coastguard and the Newhaven Lifeboat were urgently sought. Newhaven's lifeboat, the Michael Henry.
The last of the rowers, had been called at 9.20am. She recently had been converted to motor, Mr French being the mechanic (he had the lower shop on the left in upper High Street, Newhaven, where he sold almost everything including Newhaven cycles.
He later opened a garage in Seaford, which some may remember). Sadly, the engine failed and Mr French could not restart it.
The crew had been reduced in number because they were not required for rowing, but those who remained and endeavoured to reach the distressed trawler, but fouled a groyne and were driven ashore without loss of life.
The crew of the Gamecock were rescued by the Coastguard using a Breeches Buoy unit, a remarkable photo of this operation exists, portraying two men up the foremast, with a third in the Buoy, approaching the shore.
In the background, the lifeboat with its reduced crew, rowing towards the remarkable scene.
Picture No 1: Almost a picnic like scene on the beach in calmer conditions. The broken remains of the trawler's own boat hang over the stern of the craft, less than half of it remains.
Picture No 2: The Gamecock appears to have swung around during her sojern on the East Beach. Note the numerous groynes and left, a manual pile driver at horizontal rest on the upper shingle.
The Gamecock was eventually refloated by the Newhaven Tugs, Alert and Hauler.
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
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Wind direction: North east
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Sunny spells
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