No lives lost during sea accident
MOST cross Channel ferry services have had their narrow escapes from a particular disaster and that has usually been the straight forward sinking of a vessel.
In our case the victim was the SS Seaford, registered at Newhaven.
She was launched on April 19, 1894, and, on her trials, almost reached a speed of 20.25 knots – a reasonable performance at that time.
She was the first of the Newhaven fleet to be propelled by propellers, although this had been the means for those of the cargo fleet from the early days.
So now we imagine the Seaford making her way home across the Channel on August 22, 1895. Although she was licensed to carry 923 passengers on this particular day, there were only 255 aboard. This seems unusual for August, but an extra vessel may have been impressed before her and taken a maximum. As matters evolved, the less passengers on the Seaford, the better.
The pleasure of a sunshine crossing was suddenly dispelled when the Seaford plunged into a deep bank of fog. The passengers would no doubt have been most disappointed, but the captain and his men would be sharing different thoughts.
Much shipping passed up and down the Channel, which we shared with the French, but also one of the regular cargo steamers of the service would be approaching them from Newhaven and on the same course, and hoping to reach Dieppe. No radar to assist in those days, just keen eyes and hearing.
Captain Richard Sharp reduced speed and was no doubt somewhat relieved when the sound of the whistle of the SS Lyon reached him, but with it came doubt – just where was the direction the sound was coming?
The captain of the freighter shared the same doubt. Suddenly, the port side of the Seaford presented itself – 'Full astern', but it was too late. His vessel ploughed into the engine room area of the Newhaven boat, which, at once, began to sink. Quickly it was established although his bow was greatly damaged, the safety doors were at the moment keeping the sea at bay.
With nothing more useful than a megaphone and the problems of two languages, the Seaford lowered her lifeboats, no doubt with someone in charge, but the ship herself was rapidly filling with water.
The French skipper then took it to hand and put his vessel alongside the Seaford, with a plank of wood between the two and probably guide ropes for the uncertain. One lady fell into the water breaking an ankle in the process, but a Mate from the Seaford dived in and held her until ropes were lowered to hoist them both up – an act of bravery there.
Within 30 minutes the Seaford reared up and sank, stern first, it is said the two captains, now on the bridge of the Lyon, saluted as she disappeared from sight, with all of the stored possessions of the passengers going down with her, but not a life was lost.
As a precaution that the doors of the Lyon might fail, it was decided to collect the Seaford's four lifeboats and tow them astern and carry on to Newhaven. No doubt disappointed at their losses, the passengers were at least on their way to their destination.
The most confused person of the day was the look out man on duty at Newhaven Harbour entrance, who had earlier seen the Lyon depart and now here she was with her bow bashed in and towing the four lifeboats from the Seaford. So the passengers reached their destination and shortly after, the French skipper was promoted to be captain on the passenger steamers.
There were six Brightons but never a second Seaford.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lewes
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
