MARITIME CASUALTY OFF NEWHAVEN

Incident involving Newhaven Lifeboat

By Derek Longly

I recently came across these photos, which I think I possibly took but cannot remember when, showing some sort of incident off Newhaven involving a fairly dilapidated looking vessel, which may or may not be a sailing ship.

The first view shows the vessel in the bay with what looks like the pilot boat heading into the harbour and the Lifeboat nearby to the casualty.

In the second view the Lifeboat is very close by the disabled vessel probably while her condition is being established or a line is passed.

The third view appears to show the casualty lashed to the Lifeboat, with the intent being to bring her into the harbour.

Whilst the sea looks somewhat choppy it hardly appears sufficiently rough to have caused the vessel any difficulties.

I have no knowledge of the identity of the vessel involved nor of what may have happened to her.  Any information to resolve this mystery for me would be very much appreciated.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'MARITIME CASUALTY OFF NEWHAVEN' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'MARITIME CASUALTY OFF NEWHAVEN' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'MARITIME CASUALTY OFF NEWHAVEN' page
This page was added by Derek Longly on 12/07/2012.
Comments about this page

I'm not sure of the name but it would have been between '76 - '85 as that is the lifeboat "Louis Marchesi of Round Table" which was on station in that period. I cant make out the vhf direction finding aerial that was retro fitted in the early 80's so that would also help to date it. It doesn't look too choppy but photographs are deceiving. If you look in the last picture there is breaking surf in Seaford bay in the background. What has probably happened is that the lifeboat has towed the casualty on the end of a long tow rope then as they neared the harbour entrance the pilot boat has gone out to meet them to assist if necessary by putting an additional line on the stern of the casualty to help in keeping her straight as they enter harbour. In this case it would appear that this wasn't needed as the lifeboat has brought the casualty up alongside and lashed her to the side of the lifeboat therefore allowing the lifeboat to steer both of them safely into Newhaven. We used to go to a lot of converted barges, the name 'Dunord' rings a bell but I'm not sure if that is her.

By Rob Patten
On 14/07/2012

Many thanks for this information Rob. I understand the vessel could possibly be the Emily Barrett a house boat that had been laid up but lived aboard at Maldon, Essex which was in transit from there to Maryport in Cumbria.

By Derek Longly
On 14/07/2012

Emily Barrett sounds right Derek, which would put this around '78-'80, you can check with the guys at the lifeboat house as they have the launch record boards mounted on the wall. During the Fastnet storm we also towed in another converted barge - the 'Dorothea' - who was struggling mid channel off of Shoreham. During the long, slow tow my father recalled looking back at her just in time to see her main mast fall right down the centreline missing her crew by inches. I remember joining many locals at the end of the breakwater to see her finally bring her into the harbour, having; of course; run under the arches to avoid the waves breaking over the top. Happy days.

By Rob Patten
On 15/07/2012

Yes, you are right, she was the Emily Barrett 77' in length,owned her for a number of years until she was vandalised and sunk at a London mooring, I managed to find a buyer and sold her, when I understand she was refloated and was bound for Whitehaven, where I understand she was broken up! Sad end! 

By John Goddard
On 10/11/2014
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