Fun in the surf when 'The Boat' came in

FROM the position of the shadows of the vessel one could assume it is the afternoon ferry which is entering our harbour.

Visitors and locals alike used to line the railings of the West Pier to enjoy this simple yet appealing habit.

The gathering was more dense near to the lighthouse at the harbour entrance for as 'The Boat' became visible, people sitting in their cars on the promenade and even paddlers from the sand beach, would hurry to the pier side to get a closer look.

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The smaller vessels of this period seemed to move faster through the narrows, which links with the fact I didn't refer to swimmers leaving the sand beach, for the faster the boat came in, the better the wave for them to dive through.

It was only a few moments of shrieking hilarity, but you had to go somewhere like Newhaven to appreciate it.

I suppose pre-war was the best period for this fun; the steamers were then smaller but faster. I don't know if their Royal Mail contract had time-keeping connections, but the wash was considerable '“ all the way from Seaford Head, giving our sand beach a remarkable cleansing, and then on towards Peacehaven.

The motor car no doubt led many of the non-initiated to our foreshore and they were to learn how easily deckchairs, pushchairs and all the trappings of a happy day at the seaside could suddenly be tossed about in a watery confusion.

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The shrieks of frightened children must have reached the ears of the powers that be. Eventually, a large sign was erected at the fence where the steps led down and then visitors were aware of what could happen soon after the steamer poked its nose around the end of the breakwater.

I assume the slow entrance of the vessels these days has made the presence of this notice no longer required.

But there is much more to notice in this simple snap. On the east beach is a strange construction. It is actually sitting astride two large empty barges in a very large hole in the shingle.

Although today no longer manned as it was when new, this was the living quarters of the Royal Sovereign Light Tower.

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Two keepers would do their stint there, with all mod cons, even a walkway around it for exercise. The roof was a landing platform for a helicopter, there was the lighthouse, fog horn and all the usual, and it was to live high above the Royal Sovereign Reef, many miles out from Eastbourne.

At the extreme right of the photo can be seen a concrete tower. This had already been built and floated out of the large hole, with a concrete tube inside which could be jacked up in a telescopic manner.

As seen here, it was towed to its prepared site and sunk on to the reef. At our beach the shingle was bulldozed away to allow the living quarters to be floated out. This was towed to the reef site. At high water it was positioned above the tower, the inside tube was jacked up, lifting the living quarters up into the air, where it still is.

Take your binoculars up to Beachy head and find it! Made in Newhaven!

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The ferry is one of the French sisters of the 1960s-70s, Villandry or Valencay. At this time stern loading only, but later converted to drive-through.

An 8ft corner of the then old pilot's watch house (bottom right) was the very first museum of 1971-72! It was demolished at the time of a partial collapse of the pier.

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 2-5pm Saturdays and Sundays 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