Sleepers Hole could be a right old pickle at low tide

This view does not do the appearance of the little house any justice, but enables other features to be more easily explained.

The clothes line of white sheets is easy to see in the back garden and slightly to the right is a dark hedge leading to the road.

A few years ago reference was made in an article about this hedge and a very senior lady replied with some useful information '“ 'I well remember that old boat house and its garden.

'When we moved to our new house in 1951 we had a huge garden. We had to have a wind break, my husband being a keen gardener.

'I thought of that tamarisk around that old boat house, then derelict. We took cuttings from that old shrub and consequently had a marvellous hedge around our garden.

'It was still there after over 40 years, very pretty in the summertime.'

Some rafts of small timbers are pickling beyond the washing line, in some photos they are quite extensive.

Note how the rail track has been brought around, instead of going due south from the then lifeboat house.

The steamer at 'lay-by' is the Arundel of 1900. She lasted for 34 years and was the last piston-driven ferry in the Newhaven passenger fleet.

In the picture it is easy to see how the water bank has been raised to protect Fort Road from flooding; the new rail track is easily visible.

More infilling has to take place and landscaping of the site. Fort Road has been completed, with the large house, with its turret, Lorraine (now the site of the fire station) concluding the view.

Remarks I have heard make me wonder if the boat house had some squatters rights making it impossible for the harbour company to interfere.

A remark was made recently about that particular plot being exclusive to the surrounds. Maybe now someone will lift the veil!

A nice view at high tide, very different at the low '“ mud and more mud! Note the sheerlegs crane at the marine shops, it appears ahead of the steamer's funnels.

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 2-5pm Saturdays and Sundays or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk