Choc-a-bloc river in the days of sail

There are about 16 sailing vessels, three tugs and the after end of a cross Channel steamer at the then Newhaven Wharf for Paris.

If the camera had been swung a little more to the right, then the London and Paris Hotel would have been included.

The vessel could well have been the little Channel hopper Orleans or her sister Lyons of the 1856-78 era. Of 270 tons, they carried two black funnels in their early days.

This all fits in well with the remainder of the photo and an early one it certainly is. Everything on that side of the river is high and dry on a massive sandbank '“ no wonder it was a tidal service to Dieppe.

For so many years the little bucket dredgers gnawed at that great deposit of silt so that by the Great War our little harbour had become a place of such consequence that it was chosen as the most suitable port from which to send supplies for the Western Front in that dreadful conflict.

It's not clear, but the first swing bridge can be seen in the background of this view; beyond would have been little developed until piling of the New Cut created the North Quay at the turn of the 19th century.

So now the eye is working towards you on the west side of the view. I could faintly see the single funnel of the little harbour tug of the time, the Victoria, but nearer, about level with today's Ark Inn, sits the two funnelled scavenger tug Uncle Sam '“ even in this faint picture her funnels are athwartships or in our language, side by side!

Briefly, I will repeat the purpose of her lingering here. There was great competition between the racing sail ships to be first to London with an exclusive cargo, for example tea.

If it was likely that a particular boat had a good chance of being the first to the city and the awaiting market, then it was worth the skipper securing the services of the tug and ensure that he did get there first.

All of this was arranged by flag signals to the shore earlier to the westward, so that the tug could be out waiting for his client. What exciting times!

So still coming towards the camera on the left side of the photo, the nearest vessel is a twin funnelled tug, this time fore and aft, quite a smart little craft, well kept, the funnels well painted.

One little bit of information: the galley would have been in the paddle box area at the right side facing. Notice the black pipe going up at an angle into a main funnel, so when there was a lot of smoke from the frying sausages it would go up the pipe and out via the funnel. All very obvious I suppose.

If toilets existed they were usually installed in the opposite paddle box. Yes, propellers came later, but please don't ask me! It is a very interesting old photo.

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Summer opening hours are daily, 2-4pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhaven museum.co.uk