THE YEAR THE HARBOUR FROZE

Sussex Express Article - January 2011

By Laurie Stonehouse

We are still talking about our current winter, with December being the coldest since records began! Those of you old enough will need no reminding of the winter we endured from the second week of December 1962 through to March 1963 when an unusual amount of snow fell, and sub zero temperatures were recorded day and night.  The majority of the UK had snow lingering on the ground into May,  Newhaven wasn’t spared even with its slightly warmer micro climate.  Protection from the South Downs and a warming river enables our town to escape the majority of the winter extremes, but 48 years ago it was so cold the harbour started to freeze. The following picture shows pancakes of ice had formed in Sleepers Hole, which is now called the Cresta Marina, the marina pontoons were constructed during 1964/65, also in view in this picture is the K-shed with its curved roof.  This large warehouse was one of two with this particular one being demolished in 1967 to make way for the new Fishers terminal, the other warehouse with same design was just a little further down the East quay, this too was demolished some twenty years later.