The masts and rigging of the busy 1890s

Yes, this congested harbour scene includes two steamers of the cross-channel service.

A third one of the cargo fleet only displays its funnel which can be spotted within the large timber framework on the stage (left). She is of no consequence but there are three steamers packed between the marine workshops and the swing bridge.

At the foot of the Sheerlegs tripod crane sits either the Normandy or the Brittany, both quite attractive paddlers of the time.

In one of the museum albums I remember including a photo of a medallion presented to one of them for making a double crossing during one tide.

They both joined the fleet here in 1882 and were acclaimed for being the first to be fitted with electricity on this service.

The other paddler behind her with different coloured funnels (they both had two) is the Bordeaux of 1865-90 when she was sold to JH Bull & Co of this port.

It could well be that her funnel colours were differed on request of the port owners as they would probably not wish their customers to think they may be expected to travel on such an out of date craft.

Later, the old Bordeaux was moved up into an as yet undeveloped North Quay where she sat against old stages until broken up in 1894.

The photo is probably of the 1890 period, but what a packed upper harbour it portrays.

Even in my boyhood, I remember scenes like this, of fishing fleets passing up channel, following or waiting for shoals of different species as they moved along the coast.

Sometimes no doubt they had to off load their catches to make room for more. No refrigeration in those times, or motor engines, all by sail.

The substantial framework on the stage to the left, with the hanging chains, suggests that some handling of goods from ship to shore took place there.

After all there was a substantial bonded warehouse, south from the Ark Inn, and close by, coal heaps for local consumption, for example the Co-op.

They operated the sail ship Sussex Maid built in the old yard in Robinson Road. She roamed the oceans until age brought her to the coal run from the northern ports down the east coast to here and some frightening experiences were suffered by those hardened crews.

They used to unload by a system known as 'jumping'.

A hoisting pulley was rigged to an upper mast, a rope attached to a large container, which sat on the cargo of coal in the hold.

The rope went up through the pulley on the mast and then down with two short lengths spliced in, so that three crewmen standing on a horizontal boom (from the lower mast) could jump together each holding his length of rope. Their combined weight hoisted up the container of coal to just above the floor level of the landing stage.

Here would be another man with a really large wheelbarrow. He would grab the container and tip the contents into his barrow which he would trundle ashore and tip out.

The jumping crew in the meantime would return to the boom and each hold his short length of rope and jump and jump until the ship was discharged.

Snow, rain or heat wave, it must have been a terrible task. Those men worked so hard for their humble pennies.

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Winter opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 2-5pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk