Tragedy in the bight of the breakwater

Today, it's going to become a place of anger and tragedy which will no doubt be well remembered by any lifeboatman involved in the incident.

At Newhaven, the days of lifeboats hurtling down a slipway were almost history, although we had taken delivery of a new class based, we were told, on the American Coastguard type and one which would be afloat at all times.

So one of this class arrived, No 44-001, a Watson class and to be ours until 'our own' arrived when ready, the Louis Marchesi (of Round Table).

The reserve boat known as The Yank, Coxswain Len Patten, had been dispatched to the Rottingdean area where a yacht was in trouble. The date was December 13, 1981 and as we know from recent weather conditions, this can be a bad time of the year to be afloat.

Fortunately, the craft in distress was able to get into Brighton Marina, so Cox Patten and crew could return to base, no doubt looking forward to their lunch. As they neared Newhaven they were informed that a small fishing vessel, when about 50 yards from the breakwater end, had turned over.

Our lifeboat was close enough to make a rapid rescue of one of the crew of the little Orlando but could find no trace of the other unfortunate fellow.

He who had been saved needed to be treated, so The Yank came into the harbour as seen in the picture with the East Pier in the background.

Back in the harbour, things had been happening.

Retired Cox Edgar Moore had rounded up a scratch crew and gone to the boat house where a relief lifeboat, the Tynesider, was in occupation.

Down the slipway she went and these brave fellows took her out into the bight of the breakwater, to continue the search for the unfortunate missing crewman.

Despite their risky efforts and also that of a helicopter, no trace of the unfortunate man, could be found. A rather sad way to end the story, for if only the anticipated happy ending had happened, then the event would have become one of those told-you-so types of tale, but it wasn't to be.

What the picture above does is to illustrate just how severe the conditions can be in the bight of that breakwater.

Another drama occurred in the bight in the early hours of November 27, 1924.

The channel steamer Dieppe had been turned as she passed the breakwater end and gone stern first towards the sand beach steps.

No doubt the anchor was dropped, but she was in dire trouble. Our two tugs and open lifeboat were dispatched, the smaller tug to connect the tow cable between the other two.

Sadly, in the dark and rough sea, the little Richmere got the cable around her own prop. She was smashed against the promenade wall and the steps.

Cox Dick Payne made a dramatic rescue of the little tug's crew, the lifeboat being well damaged. He was awarded the RNLI's bronze medal and the crew's thanks on vellum.

The little Richmere was repaired in Sleepers Hole, near the lifeboat house, when there was a small beach there. The big tug Alert and the Dieppe got in after about three hours.

This was the year I came to Newhaven as an eight year old and have always felt my father had taken me to the 'front' and that I saw the Dieppe there. One very poor photo exists.

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