SHIPBUILDING IN NEWHAVEN OVER THE CENTURIES
A history of boatbuilding at Newhaven
By Richard Beckett
Please note that some of the following information was taken from an article in The Sussex County Magazine of April 1939, while other information came from unidentified sources and therefore may contain incorrect information. Any corrections will be gratefully received and added where applicable.
Shipbuilders. In 1700 there were 4 Shipwrights in Newhaven and records show that in 1707 a slipway was built here. Over the years a number of names are mentioned as owners or shipbuilders in Newhaven, among these being Geere & Blaber who seemed to specialise in repairs only. There was also John Gray who at one time was recorded as having 3 slipways where he employed 70 men of who 23 were shipwrights. Other shipbuilders were John Mount, John Powell, James Duly, Edward Mewett, Henry Courtenay, Henry Harvey. Mr Tollman (who took over the yard of John Gray when he died), Cantell, Lower & Moore.
Ships built. The 110T "Neptune" was launched in 1735, followed by a 500T vessel in 1746 whose name is unknown. Other launchings at Newhaven followed including in 1747 the 200T "John & Elizabeth", 1750 the 240T "Albion", followed by the 50T "Betty & Eleanor". In 1754 the 300T "John & Samuel", 1756 the 200T "Mermaid", 1760 the 30T "Seaford", then the 305T "Minerva".
The 51T "Diligence" was launched in 1761, then the 300T "Munifence". In 1763 the 100T "John Littledick", 1764 the 80T "Brittania", followed by the 130T "Good Intent". In 1765 The 140T "Race Horse", 1768 the 90T "Nancy", 1774 the 100T "Mary", 1776 the 100T "Newhaven", 1779 the 100T "Lewes" and in 1783 the "Lark". 1784 the "Jamaica Planter", 1785 the 49T "Dove", 1787 the 63T "Oak", and in 1794 the "Albion".
In 1798 the 56T "Brothers" was built here, 1814 the 154T "Duke of Wellington", 1816 the "Liberty", 1824 The "Sussex Lodge". 1825 the 82T "Mary", 1828 the 61T "Lewes", 1832 the 66T "Ouse", 1839 the "Zebra" and in 1842 two unnamed vessels were built.
In 1843 the 154T "Observer", the 180T "Susannah" & the 180T "Elizabeth". In 1844 the 400T "Royal Exchange" followed in 1845 by the 187T "Requiter" & the 200T "Register". Then in 1847 the 260T "Comet" & the "Tiger"
1848 the 330T "Watkins" & the 250T "Alice Maud". 1849 162T "Emily Smith" & the 87T "Betsy".
1850 the 300T "John Gray" and the 600T "Corsairs Bride"
In 1851 the 335T "Don Ricardo" and, a 461T Sailing/Steamship the "Paoun Shun" (the first steamship to be built in Sussex, and at that time the largest schooner-rigged vessel in the world). 1852 saw the 237T "John Hillman", 1853 the 296T "Monsoon", 1854 the "Gundreda", 1855 the "Alice Smith" and the 248T "Lewes". 1856 saw the launch of the 182T "Sussex Maid". Launched in 1857 were the 358T "Bridgetown", the 186T "Eirene" and an unnamed Schooner, then in 1859 the 367T "Constance".
In 1861 a 269T Gunboat "HMS Tyrian" was built here. In 1862 the 10T "Integrity", the 75T "Beulah" and the 29T ketch "Energy" were launched. In 1865 another "Energy" was launched but this time it was a 200T barge.
1872 saw the launch of the 219T "Brunette" 1873 the 41T "Dowager Countess", the 46T "Countess" & the 46T "Viscountess"
In 1874 came the 420T "Blonde", the 87T "Betsy" & the "Regina" followed in 1875 by the 66T "Renown", 1877 the "Emmeline", 1878 the 76T "Enterprise", and in 1879 the 75T "Consort"
In 1883 the 80T "Invincible" was launched, 1891 a 250T unnamed vessel and in 1901 a 42T barge the "SR9" followed in 1902 by the "SR 10"
In 1937 the 4T "Schyria" was launched followed in 1939 by the 1T "Sussex Ousel".
The first recorded launch after WW2 found so far was in 1948 with the launch of the 5T "Adadstral" and the 6T "Dora Lee".
1950 saw the launch of the "William Allchorn" followed in 1956 by five 25 foot Cutters for the Admiralty, a 45ft Fishing boat the "Green Cormorant" and an 84 foot fishing Boat the "Johns Model" (but see John Hills comment below)
In 1957 a 30 foot unnamed Lugger was launched followed in 1958 by the 26 foot "Flying Fish". It is believed that both of these vessels were destined for the Hastings fishing fleet.