NEWHAVEN CROSS CHANNEL FERRIES
The PS MARJORY
Newhaven Artist G. Sims
The First
By Richard Beckett
The 19th century brought the first known steam crossing of the English channel from Newhaven.
In 1815, in order to prove that steampower was a viable proposition for shipping, M. Pierre Andriel purchased the steam ship MARJORY, a 70 ton, 63 foot long paddle steamer which had been built by Denny’s of Dumbarton. Having changed the vessel’s name to the ELISE so that it would be recognised as an all-French exploit, on 17th March 1816, he set out from Newhaven in East Sussex and headed towards the French coast.
Things did not go well from the start for the ELISE ran into gale force winds and high seas with large waves crashing down on the deck. When the crew threatened mutiny unless the Captain turned back, M. Andriel drew his gun and threatened to shoot anyone who disobeyed his orders. But at the same time he offered 3 bottles of rum to the first person to spot the French coast.
This combination of threat and reward worked, and 17 hours later they steamed into Le Havre. The vessel then made its way up the river Seine all the way to Paris, and as it entered the city it was greeted by cheering crowds and brass bands.