Ugly duckling who turned into quite a lady!

This is just how the Rouen looked when I first came to Newhaven, very different to how she appeared when new.

The masts were then shorter and radio was yet to be installed '“ at first flags of different shapes, sizes and colours were raised on both masts when approaching port.

These could be 'read' by telescope from the harbour lookout who could tell how many passengers of different classes were aboard and convey the information to the port authorities, who in turn could alert staff as to what was coming and provide a suitable length of boat train to Paris or London.

When new, the high wheelhouse and bridge did not exist. The two funnels were taller by about the present amount of black tops, and she and her sister the Newhaven looked rather a sad sight.

Changes came as a result of modernisation and possibly a feeling in those certain quarters that the vessels weren't pulling in the public.

The 25 knot speed was somewhat generous, but as the picture suggests, these boats didn't hang about once they had left the quayside. Time-keeping was an important factor and passengers would expect to be walking down the gangway at Dieppe three hours and ten minutes after leaving here.

So what did happen to this pair? The joint service in 1928 introduced a wonderful new steamer to the route, the Worthing, still talked about to this day '“ very modern, single funnel, nicely oval and windows all along an extensive promenade deck, and what a difference that was.

Notice in this picture, the Rouen has canvas to protect the passengers from wind and rain and by the looks of the smoke direction, canvas would be even more required on the farther side. What a gloomy atmosphere in which to travel.

Notice, too, the first class passengers have come out of the two doorways on to the foredeck and are crowded below the bridge.

At the stern end of the vessel, in the open air, it is packed with third class (or steerage) passengers. No seating there for them, but hopefully the crossing time was not too long!

So what happened to the Rouen? In the Great War she became a French naval scout and was torpedoed off the Brittany Coast on December 28, 1916.

Her bow forward of the bridge was blown completely away, three Dieppe seamen being killed.

She was abandoned, but failed to sink and was towed to port and rebuilt, later serving as a seaplane carrier and troopship.

After the war she returned to her old route; masts were taller for radio, a cross tree on the foremast added to appearance and, of course, the raised bridge and wheelhouse.

The 1928 Worthing set the pace. Rouen and sister were fitted with windows and then oil burning took the place of coal, meaning one large oval funnel, buff with black top. Apart from her counter stern, she was quite a modern lady. She was at Dunkirk in the 1940 withdrawal and later captured by the enemy and used by them for the duration.

After the war she returned to Dieppe with the Newhaven, but neither rejoined the service and were scrapped.

The third French partner, the Versailles of 1921, was not even brought home from Denmark from where she had been traced.

All were replaced by the Londres, the Arromanches and the Lisieux, post last war.

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