Port of Newhaven: Difference between revisions
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The Port of Newhaven is a port and associated docks complex located within Newhaven, East Sussex, England.
International ferries run to the French ports of Dieppe (Transmanche Ferries); and Le Havre, (LD Lines).[1] Although there are some derelict signs of the one-time train ferry operations, the harbour still sees a great deal of freight and passengers movement, with both the ferries running from this port being under three years old.[2]
History
The village of Newhaven was of little maritime importance until the opening of the railway line to Lewes in 1847. The London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) constructed their own wharf and facilities on the east side of the river, and opened the Newhaven harbour railway station. The railway also funded the dredging of the channel and other improvements to the harbour between 1850 and 1878, to enable it to be used by cross channel ferries,[3] and in 1863 the LB&SCR and the Chemin de Fer de l‘Ouest introduced the Newhaven-Dieppe passenger service.[4] The harbour was officially recognised as 'The Port of Newhaven' in 1882.[5] Imports then included French farm products and manufactures, timber, granite and slates.[6]
Newhaven harbour was designated as the principal port for the movement of men and materiel to the European continent during World War I and was taken over by the military authorities and the ferries requisitioned for the duration of the war. Between 22 September 1916 and 2 December 1918, the port and town of Newhaven were designated a 'Special Military Area' under the 'Defence of the Realm Regulations', and the Harbour station was closed to the public.[7] The port and harbour facilities, rail sidings and warehousing were greatly enlarged at this time and electric lighting installed to allow for 24-hour operation.
During World War II, large numbers of Canadian troops were stationed at Newhaven, and the ill-fated Dieppe Raid in 1942 was largely launched from the harbour.
Redevelopment
In 2011, Sussex Yachts Ltd initiated an ambitious scheme to regenerate the East Quay with their yacht refit business opening Newhaven Boatyard the largest marine refit facility in the South East. The project expanded into commercial vessel maintenance and refit in 2012.[8]
Lifeboat
The Newhaven Lifeboat, the first of which was commissioned in 1803, is among the oldest in Britain, and was established some 20 years before the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The town established the rescue lifeboat in response to the wreck of HMS Brazen in January 1800 when only one man of her crew of some 105 men could be saved.[9] The town used a combination of funds raised locally and contributed by Lloyd's of London to purchase a lifeboat built to Henry Greathead's "Original" design. Newhaven also has one of the Watch stations of the National Coastwatch Institution.[10]
References
- ^ Newhaven ferries
- ^ Set of photographs of Newhaven Harbour
- ^ Pratt, Edwin (1921). British railways and the Great War. Selwyn & Blount. p.1032-3.
- ^ Jordan, S (1998). Ferry Services of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. Usk: The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-521-7.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help). - ^ The Official Guide to the London Brighton and South Coast Railway. Cassell. 1912. pp. 260–2..
- ^ Official Guide to the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, (1912) 260-2.
- ^ Pratt, British railways and the Great War, p.1033.
- ^ Sussex Yachts Ltd
- ^ Newhaven Lifeboat
- ^ Newhaven NCI