Ferrying the harbour's boss to work

It is like saying goodbye to an old friend, so much there for the enjoying and it was all free.

Our little harbour town was never regarded as a high earning place, but providing you 'had enough' it was not a bad place to be, even on a rainy day!

With a magnifying glass I have just located the little plot of greenery just south of the recreation ground toilets and the double gate entrance.

Here used to be a First World War field gun; large wheels it had and a very long barrel and we used to hang and do monkey walks in suspension. Today, some would do the same in a gym and pay for the privilege. It was just good healthy fun.

I believe the cannon went for meltdown as scrap metal in World War II.

While in the area, what a tactful and amusing effort by whoever decided on the notice on the northern side of the rec toilets notifying all visitors that this is the last before France, a tactful way of warning that the seafront doesn't boast a convenience! Neat and to the point!

Look at the fine expanse of Huggetts field '“ what a playground '“ and across the bottom corner, the footpath for the harbour master who then lived in the fine property provided by the Company in Western Road.

Via Gray's Lane and a public break (then) in Fort Road, he unlocked a little gate and cut across the bottom end of the field towards the Lifeboat House. At the bottom of the steps alongside the slipway would be waiting one of his men with appropriate clothing and cap, who would row him across to the now ferry terminal, where he would alight for a few steps to his office.

Notice the deserted Sleepers Hole, the pilots' stage, the small harbour dredger and barges at the lay-by berth.

The main basin is about to be dredged so all yachts and other craft have relocated. The few piles of staging in the basin (near) have been abandoned by the large self-propelled dredger Newey, which in the picture is outside the marine workshops for probable overhaul.

Also evacuated for the operation are the two redundant cross-channel steamers; the Dieppe of 1905 is alongside the London and Paris Hotel and the Arundel of 1900 beyond.

The latter was sold to Germany for scrap in 1934 and the Dieppe was sold to Lord Moyne of the Guinness family for conversion to a luxury diesel yacht, on which cruised, in the Med, Edward VIII (Prince of Wales) and Mrs Wallis Simpson.

The vessel was lost on war service in that sea.

In the night berth, now the ferry berth, is the French Rouen, above her the old bonded warehouse from when vessels berthed into the creek before it was closed in 1879. To the left is the station master's residence.

The steamer, right, is the Worthing of 1928, the first with windows in the promenade deck and oil burning.

Four of the later vessels were converted accordingly. We had the new Brighton V in 1933, a total of six in the fleet.

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. Winter opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 2-5pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk