Remarkable rare view from above

Strangely enough I am pretty certain it originated in a most welcome consignment from, of all places, the Channel Islands in the early 1970s.

The reason for this loan was that I would be able to copy scenes at Bishopstone Tidemills, where had been the first war naval seaplane base, with exclusive scenes of some of the air crews and their historic float planes.

I suppose the main object was to track down the German U Boats which patrolled this area, bearing in mind the continuing procession of transports between Newhaven and the French ports, not surprising, then, that in the interesting package happened to be a few aerial photos recording what was going on, rare in those days.

In this remarkable view we are looking from south west to north east, with Sleepers Hole in the foreground, the mud flats to the left have since been dredged away during the creation of the marina.

The white-topped piles were of the lay-by berth, used by out of service channel steamers or even dredgers. This opening up had been necessary, when the North Quay (the new cut) was being transformed into a working quayside, then vessels which had lingered there for various reasons, had to find a new home, so the Hole was opened up to the harbour, this was at the beginning of the 1900s.

A barge appears to separate three steam naval patrol craft from the stage, but look across to the far side of the harbour, Railway Road, Beach road beyond '“ a mass of allotments, food shortages and rationing, times were hard and after a long shift of loading supplies craft then giving attention to one's plot of land!

Our limited passenger service had been switched to Folkestone, the cargo fleet (less one) to Littlehampton, but as the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway had made such a success of the organising of the transports operating out of here, they were asked to do their best with Littlehampton and the cargo service was switched again to the company's wharf at Deptford!

Of the three vessels moored at the London and Paris Hotel, the centre one is the Maine, the only one of our boats to be so used, her life 1910 to 17, speed 13 knots.

An old docks foreman told me, when I was a kid, that her holds used to overheat, but the army officer in charge of loading ammunition insisted it was stacked against the bulkheads and the look of fear on the French captain's face as she left, verdict '“ torpedo!

Who could argue? Her loss and of the crew is recorded on the transport memorial as with many others.

Most of the transports were slower than a German U boat, so each crossing must have been a gamble.

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.newhavenmuseum.co.uk