THE MARINA

Some Photos

By Derek Longly

The development of Sleepers Hole into the present day marina took place during the time I lived in Seaford, the Brighton area and Newhaven.  

Initially as I watched the changes that were wrought they were not to my liking, as what had previously been a fairly open and accessible spot gradually became altered and to a degree enclosed, so that areas I had enjoyed wandering in were now off limits.

However, with the passage of time it became evident that what was being done was an improvement and was bringing business into the harbour. Gradually therefore I came to appreciate the attractiveness of the scene, with the many small boats which moored there and now it would seem strange if the marina were not there.

Here are a few of the photos I took of the area but initially there is an old picture of Sleepers Hole to give some indication of how it was used in the past long before the marina developed. 

The second photo shows the sailing barge Maid of Connaught, which was built in 1899 as Monarch at Greenwich.  She was of 68 tons with her official number being 112612.  Rebuilt in 1929 she was eventually hulked at Pin Mill. 

The photos that follow were largely taken in the 1970's and 1980's, with Channel steamers laid up in the harbour visible in a couple of them.  The last photo shows the Marina with the Transmanche ferry Seven Sisters at the terminal ramp on the opposite side of the river bringing the views more or less up to date.