Magnificent men in underpowered flying machines

A special firefighting squad had been airlifted to the stricken ship by helicopter and fortunately was able to extinguish the outbreak.

The return of the warriors and their whirring wingless wonder to Tidemills provided me with interesting viewing as I consumed my cornflakes.

Yes, they were all sorting themselves out to eventually dissolve into the mass of everyday people going about their business. A very brave group deserving of much praise.

Yet again, my Sussex Express of June 9 has a front page story of a collision between a speedboat and a jet-ski off our Eastside beach. Once again, the rescue helicopter is called to assist getting an injured man to Brighton hospital.

I often wonder just how many people there are who could connect all this ground to air activity with the one time use of this rather remote area of our eastern beach.

Turn the clock back to the First World War. Before the outbreak seaplanes were developed which could land on water.

Of light construction and with two floats replacing the normal wheels, providing the water was calm, they could perform without the needs of flying fields and runways.

No shortage of sea around our shore and so a unit was established between Tidemills and our East Pier.

These rather underpowered craft would take off into the wind. Unfortunately, our prevailing one comes from the south-west and these brave little machines not only had to rise, but enough to clear the breakwater!

As is usual things began in a small way with small curved roof hangars, a slipway to the water and a winch to reclaim the aircraft.

As with the airships from Polegate, these planes were put to spotting U-boats, of which there were many.

The establishment expanded and a very much larger hangar was erected. The giant doors for this slid along through grooves in the concrete; the surviving section still adds to the curiosity of visitors to this day.

Many photos of the airmen, their machines and the buildings can be seen at the museum, plus articles from books and magazines.

One very good set of pictures was borrowed by a man of Tidemills from relatives then living in the Channel Islands. These I was able to copy and one scene in particular is quite touching.

Two airmen in their leather coats and flying helmets and goggles, are leaning against one of the floats of a plane out of the water. The pilot is clutching his lucky mascot '“ a golly. He had no complicated interpretations!

The terrible war ended, the site and planes were no longer required. Railway land had been involved, so I suppose first choice to them to purchase. The small hangars replaced the old 'B' shed on Railway Quay until mysteriously burned down in the late 1950s.

The large hangar was dismantled and by rail taken to Wimbledon, where it was re-erected to be a store place for equipment for the part electrification of the Southern Railway. Not only is it still there, but I understand it is a listed building!

Thanks to Mr Gordon Burke for kindly taking and giving, quite recently, Picture No 1.

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.newhavenmuseum.co.uk