Rescuers received goblets for bravery
RECENTLY the photos used have concerned views from the top of the Sheerlegs crane, which, for so many years, stood guard on the Railway Quay at the marine workshops.
I referred to their pre-war colouring which had been buff yellow with green rings where the sections were riveted together.
As colour films were rather a luxury pre-war this photo conveys quite a pleasant viewing of the monster crane. So the crane and the previous swing bridge spent their last years in dreary grey. The sailing vessel on the grid-iron prompted me to think we had scored having included a sail boat of repute.
It was very nearly the Danish four masted motor schooner Mogens Koch, which had been driven ashore under the first of the Seven Sisters cliffs beyond the Cuckmere exit in December 1929. As I recollect, the crew was rescued before she grounded, by the legendary Coxswain, Richard (Dick) Payne in the open lifeboat Sir Fitzroy Clayton. This rescue boat was of course fitted with an engine which was well tested during the terrible return to Newhaven.
Injuries to crew and the rescued were suffered by all, the coxswain receiving a broken pelvis from which it is said he never recovered. All the rescuers received silver goblets from the King of Denmark for their bravery.
That given to crewman Benjamin J Clark, can be seen in the lifeboat display at our museum. He was tragically swept overboard, at night in November 1943 in an incident involving the lifeboat Cecil & Lillian Philpott and a Naval trawler the Avanturine.
The damage to the former was incredible. Signalman Clark, sadly was washed overboard, his body was found on the beach at Cuckmere Haven the following noon, he was only of 49 years age, 25 of those had been in lifeboat service. His loss is remembered periodically.
As for Cox Richard Payne, his service with the lifeboat had started in 1911. He received many awards for bravery during his service, his injuries from the Mogens Koch incident of 1929, when the Danish King awarded him an inscribed gold watch, forced him to retire. Sadly he died on June 3, 1931, aged 57 years.
Strange, this all began with the Sheerlegs crane and a sail vessel on the grid-iron, not the Mogens Koch, but I'm certain I have seen a photo with her near this spot after she was re-floated and brought into this harbour.
I must consult my local and maritime museum.
Now it is my turn to seek help. Picture No 2. The man in the grey Trilby and grey overcoat facing is one time port manager Reginald Cardy, who is the uniformed employee the group appears to be so impressed by? Are the two from the Government?
Has Mr Uniform committed a brave act? If it is war-time no-one possesses a gas mask. Where on the docks was the picture taken? And they are all wearing well polished black shoes, happy picture, but what was it all about?
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Weather for Lewes
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
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