Making port safely in days before radar
PICTURE No 1 carries on from last week, when the West Pier lighthouse featured in a picture of the regatta, here in August 1882.
Then, it had still to be completed with the addition of its lantern top.
The domed roof was of copper with the window glass below. In those times of oil lamps the humble flame was intensified with a circular magnifying lens. This mode of light provision required frequent attention from a human being, wicks had to be trimmed and oil levels maintained.
Before the days of radar and kindred discoveries, making port safely was quite an undertaking in adverse conditions. Imagine, a week of storms, the light at the sea-end of the breakwater or the fog horn may need instant attention. The answer to that, of course, the covered way of arches and the steel door at the far end, which gives access to the mysteries within. All those worrying problems are now sorted with the touch of a few buttons.
Let us study picture one a little more closely. It must have been taken between 1928 and 1955, for the steamer entering is the RMS Worthing, which came here new, setting some new fashions (she was already oil burning). Before that, there had been the French Versailles of 1921 and she had been designed before the first Great War.
Although quite a fast vessel, there was nothing exceptional about her, so back to the West Pier and the Worthing entering, and the only modern ferry to have a stained wooden wheel house.
Look-outs had always been a necessity at the West Pier light and it was staffed accordingly.
Before radio, for example, in fog, a member would be outside if necessary, for an incoming ferry might send up a maroon requesting one be fired to give direction towards Newhaven. Then there was the fog horn at the breakwater that had to be neared and missed.
Now look to the photo where is the near bridge of the Worthing. Below, on land, is a tall narrow concrete archway, from which was hanging a large bell. This was sounded to guide the incoming vessel from the breakwater end to the harbour entrance.
From there usually to a problem, with one very pronounced exception on June 2, 1927, when the incoming Dieppe Screw the Rennes (the regular cargo service) decided to climb the west side river bank, at the RNVR Boathouse slipway, north of the recent Villa Andriana. She was floated off at high water, but does illustrate in what blindness navigation, even when right in the harbour, could be so frustrated.
Returning to the lighthouse at the West Pier, nearer to the camera is a very tall railway signal, with quite some ladder to service it.
This was certainly the most simplified system of controlling the passage of shipping in and out through the narrows. With the signal arm at horizontal, shipping may enter, but none leave. With the arm down, help yourself. Control was really only needed when a large vessel was involved, for the lighthouse staff were always there to take care of matters.
To the west of the lighthouse was once the signal station, a large raised circle, with a tall Navy like signal mast, with two (then) black balls, which, in positions, could convey to a skipper (with the right book and the wish to enter) what was the state of the tide.
This was later moved to near the lighthouse. The balls now red and a storm cone, hang on display in the museum.
Picture No 2: The same West Pier Lighthouse top, acquired by the museum and here being lowered into its new location in the gardens of Paradise Park in the 1970s. Near, Austin Williamson, the chairman of the historical society and a very pleased manager, Johnathan Tate, stepping out onto the plinth, with the steps and railings yet to be added. Close by is the capstan from the West Pier site.
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Weather for Lewes
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
