THE WATCH HOUSE AND SIGNAL STATION
Where the records of shipping movements were kept
By Trevor Bennett
The picture of the Signal Station on another page reminds me of the task which required the staff to book and record the movement of all vessels in and out of the harbour.
On "The Mole" opposite where the ferry terminal is now, next to the old lifeboat house was the "Watch House", and there the staff also kept records of ships movements which were needed in order to collect the harbour dues.
I append a copy of an old postcard showing the large number of boats which might be in the harbour at any one time, and just what a task the staff must have had recording boat movements. Unfortunately I have no idea when the photo was taken.