NEWHAVEN HARBOUR

Harbour views c1960's

By Chris Young

The first photo illustrates a view upriver which was taken from the southern end of the harbour below the Fort. This view is prior to the building of the marina complex as you would see it today. The area  now occupied by the marina was originally known as Sleeper's Hole and this is indicated by the stack of sleepers which can be seen on the area of rough ground between the old rail tracks. These tracks used to run to the breakwater to carry wagonloads of materials for maintenance purposes. The mail steamer on the berth is the S.S. Brighton.

The second photograph shows a view towards the marine workshops with the old sheerlegs that were removed in the 1960's. Moored at the east quay opposite is the tug Meeching in its original black and buff colours and owned at that time by British Rail .

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'NEWHAVEN HARBOUR' page

From the private collection of Chris Young

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'NEWHAVEN HARBOUR' page

From the private collection of Chris Young

This page was added by Ginny Smith on 06/01/2009.
Comments about this page

I always understood that the term "sleepers" referred to the cross timbers (now concrete) which tie railway lines together to form the track, that is until I was recently informed that the term was also used to define the large upright timbers along the quay which act as fenders to the ships. I understand that before being placed insitu along the quay, these timbers were usually left to soak and "pickle" in the salt water, and "Sleepers Hole" was where this was carried out. Can anyone confirm this please?

By Richard
On 06/01/2009

That would make sense Richard, if you visit Portsmouth Dockyard there is a similiar area just inside the DockGate where timber was rafted up to soak before being made into spars, masts and oars for the old sailing ships.

By Rob Patten
On 06/01/2009

The upright timbers on the stages and the quays are more usually referred to as 'piles'. I've never heard them called sleepers. Yes, Sleepers Hole is where the railway sleepers were pickled.

Minor correction: Not SS Brighton. She was a turbine steamer, so TS is more correct. Even better, as we had the Royal Mail contract, the ships could be designated as RMS - Royal Mail Ship.

By Andy Gilbert
On 06/01/2009

Having now had a closer look at the second photo, I can date this for you. It's mid to late 1960. Meeching is indeed in her original livery, but up at the Marine Shops, you can see both Foremost 22 and Tidworth, the former already up for sale and the latter serving out her time before her sale in 1961. There's a Black and White image of the two tugs together already posted on this site.

By Andy Gilbert
On 07/01/2009

Hello Andy ,
Nice to see you're on the ball! Just thought I would test your attention to detail re: T.S. BRIGHTON pictured on east quay berth. (Now ro/ro berth area) I'm sure you agree she was a very fine and powerful looking Turbine Steamer.

The outermost vessel in the 2nd photo was 'Le Fortune' which was a classic carvel-built fishing motor cruiser which used to be laid up in what is now the southern end Marina workshop buildings. The original owner carried out timber refitting and repainting as he had this building built purely for his own boats use (Obviously a man of means in a day of Gentleman owners!)
Regards Chris

By Chris Young
On 07/01/2009

The Le Fortune appeared in a TV Cops & Robbers episode, back in the days of monochrome. Does anyone remember the name of the series? I've racked my brain and remember the boat being shown and referred to, by its proper name, but I cannot remember the series.

By William Stovell
On 28/02/2009

This boat ( Le Fortune ) was in Newhaven for many years and was photographed many times, I'm sure, in pictures such as this.  Perhaps the police cops & robbers show was "No Hiding Place", or could it have been a limited series called "King of the River" set during the mid sixty's period when quite a few local scenes were used!

By Chris Young
On 02/03/2009

Re the Le Fortune. My father and I used to go fishing on her in the summer as a reward for the work he put in during the winter in the boathouse. The owner's name was Bill Banks, who lived in Friston. There was also an old gent called John Daley who always wore a beret also came fishing with us.

By SPARKS
On 25/04/2009

My late father, George, worked on the construction of Bill Bank's boathouse and he and I was often invited on fishing trips aboard the Le Fortune. This craft was used in filming and this is how it came to be named as such. The gentleman, named John Daley, had a small open boat in the harbour that he used for small fishing parties. He was a nice old fellow and lived next door to the boys club, Shakespere Hall in South Road. He was often seen at the boxing tornaments held there. A real gent.

By Colin Brandon
On 18/11/2010

"Le Fortune" is now on the River Witham in Lincolnshire. We are moored opposite her now.

Any chance of a photo of her to bring this page up to date please? Andy-Editor

By Jim Squires
On 29/06/2015

Has anybody any idea about the white hulled vessel inboard in the picture. The hull lines look vaguely military, like an MGB, but with added superstructure.?

By Rob Patten
On 05/07/2015

Hi Rob, was the white hulled vessel the Dawn Approach and owned by a London doctor?.

By Colin Brandon
On 06/07/2015

There is a page on this site "upper end of the harbour" which shows a stern view of the MV Dawn Approach, and it doesn't look like the same vessel to me. I may be mistaken, I often am. Maybe Andy can tell us more.

By Rob Patten
On 06/07/2015

Andy, could she be an ex-hdml (Harbour Defence Motor Launch) similiar to the Medusa? Her lines look similiar.

Dawn Approach was a different vessel, and I think Rob's on the right lines here. A little research required! - Andy

 

By Rob Patten
On 07/07/2015
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