Air-sea rescue murals tell a wartime story

We now read that this area is to be smartened up somewhat.

The two extreme mounds had been store places for the ammunition and the others served as side protectors for the gunners. It appears they were never put to the test.

It was at the time of the completion of Fort Gate flats that, I presume, it was the developers who decided these would limit the seaward view of their tenants and commenced to decapitate the mounds.

This aroused displeasure with one particular family. They had known the line of weekend accommodations which before World War II had settled between the promenade and the cliffs.

So the son and other friends took it upon themselves to return the landscape to what it was.

Now it is good news to read that proper restoration and a general improvement is likely to take place.

During the time of Prime Minister Palmerston, new fears of an attack by the French once again caused alarm and extra defences appeared along the south coast, including of course a brand new and very real Fort at Newhaven.

That is a long story in itself, but one very interesting feature is the lake which appeared in the recreation ground area where now we see the bowling green and at times different tennis courts.

Extraction of clay caused the lake formation and the gooey substance was moved across to the area of today's Shakespeare Hall. Here were several kilns where the substance was baked and the resulting bricks taken to build the Fort.

What a wonderful end product was achieved. The structure saw active service in both the Great War and WWII.

Where is now the public car park, in the early days of the last war were erected some army huts; these were to accommodate the RAF boat crews of the newly established Air Sea Rescue Service. Three fast launches were based in the harbour, to the north of the present lifeboat house, the purpose being to save crews before the cold got to them.

Anyone interested should try to borrow the video tape of For Those in Peril, a film of the time and featuring Newhaven although this is not mentioned. Top secret!

The real men from the huts had off duty times and had access from their side of the moat, to get down to some relaxing rooms below, known I believe, as the 'counter scarp'.

From here a tunnel carried on under the moat and up into the Fort, since sealed off.

Walls were painted, of course, and picture No 1 shows three of the rescue launches at sea.

I took this photo about 25 years ago and imagine what is there now must have deteriorated.

I have always thought that the moat was 70ft deep, as the local rifle club used to have competitions there.

The RAF eventually moved into Huggets Field, their place being taken by our soldiers and a Ukranian bomb disposal team.

The huts then became a motel for Cresta Marine, the new marina, when tons of mud and rubbish were emptied into that moat as Sleepers Hole was dredged, some going out to sea by barges.

A lot was happening in Newhaven. In the 70s and 80s, shipping was very active at the East Quay, even before the arrival of the 'Tango' crane.

I took and was given so many wonderful photographic records of this period. Here, the Blue Star cargo liner Gladstone Star discharges at Fisher's Wharf.

Look at her number of crane jibs. Those were the days. I trust I took it! She would have been brought in backwards by our own tug, the Meeching.

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