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Newhaven in Sussex County England History and GeographyNEWHAVEN, otherwise MEECHING, a parish and sea-port, in the hundred of HOLMSTROW, rape of LEWES, county of SUSSEX, 7 miles (S.) from Lewes, 9 (E.S.E.) from Brighton, and 58 (S.) from London, containing 927 inhabitants. The ancient name of this place was Meeching, and its present appellation was probably given about 1713, on the formation of the harbour, on which its importance chiefly depends. In 1731, an act of parliament was obtained to empower commissioners to repair the piers, and to cleanse and enlarge the harbour, which during the last thirty years has been progressively improving, the frequent dredging of boulders, or large stones driven upon the beach by the tide, having essentially contributed to that effect. It is one of the best tide harbours in the channel between the Downs and the Isle of Wight, and the bay forms one of the finest roadsteads on the southern coast: with the wind from north-north-west to east by south, facility of entrance to it is afforded, when a similar attempt at other places would be perilous. The piers are one hundred and twenty feet distant from each other; the west pier is seven hundred feet in length, and the east six hundred: at low water of spring tides the depth is five feet; at high water, during the neap tides, it stands at fourteen feet; and during spring tides, from twenty to twenty-two feet. Skilful pilots are constantly stationed on the piers; and in the day-time a flag is hoisted, as soon as the depth of water in the harbour reaches ten feet, and whilst it continues so long on the ebb as it is safe for vessels to enter. Ships of three hundred and three hundred and fifty tons' burden have found shelter here during tempestuous weather. At the mouth of the harbour is a small fort, and here also is moored H.M. frigate Hyperion, with three attendant cutters, to prevent smuggling along the coast: two steam-packets sail hence to Dieppe twice a week. It is worthy of observation, that Newhaven is the nearest sea-port to the metropolis of England, and the nearest English port to that of France. The town, which is about half a mile distant from the sea, is situated near the mouth of the Ouse, over which, about thirty-five years since, a drawbridge was erected, leading towards Sleaford, in lieu of the ferry: the streets are of neat and clean appearance, and are lighted by subscription; the houses are respectable, many of them being of modern erection: the inhabitants are supplied with water by means of wells. A new and more commodious turnpike-road to Brighton has been formed, which has proved highly advantageous to the interests of the town. In the early part of the last century the inhabitants were extensively engaged in trade, which afterwards declined, owing to the decay of the old wooden piers that protected the harbour; but from the improvement in it, and its having been constituted, under a license from the Lords of the Treasury, a bonding port for all kinds of timber, as it was previously for wine and spirits, the commercial interests of the inhabitants have considerably improved; commodious bonding warehouses have been constructed on the quay, on a principle similar to those at the West India docks. The importation of coal has been extensive and progressive for several years: it is conveyed by the navigable river Ouse to Lewes and other parts, the navigation extending twenty miles inland. There is likewise a considerable trade in the importation of foreign timber, and the exportation of English oak for the dock-yards: the coasting trade in flour, butter, and corn, is also considerable. Many of the poor are employed in collecting boulders, which are shipped for the potteries in Staffordshire, and otherwise used in building walls. Ship-building formerly constituted a considerable source of employment, and at one period several were built for the West India trade; but this branch of occupation has greatly declined, only two vessels having been built and registered here in 1825. There are two extensive breweries, and the town is noted for the excellence of its beer. The number of vessels which entered from foreign parts in 1826 was forty-three British, and five foreign; and the number of those which cleared outwards, four British, and four foreign. The number of vessels belonging to Newhaven, in March 1828, was sixteen, averaging sixty-four tons each. Here is a custom-house; and a collector, comptroller, and harbour-master, are stationed at the port. A fair for pedlary is held on the 10th of October. The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry of Lewes, and diocese of Chichester, rated in the king's books at £8. 3. 4., and in the patronage of the Crown. The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, and originally consisted of but one aisle and a tower, in the Norman style, has undergone enlargement; one hundred and seventy-five new sittings have been added, of which one hundred and twenty are free, and towards defraying the expense of which, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels contributed £50: some windows, in the early style of English architecture, have been inserted on the south side. Near to and on the northern side of the churchyard is an obelisk, erected to commemorate the wreck of the Brazen sloop of war on the Ave rocks, near this town, during a violent storm on the morning of January 26th, 1800, when Captain Hancock and one hundred and three men were drowned, and only one was saved. A charity school, for children of both sexes, is supported by voluntary contributions. On Castle hill, about a mile from the town, westward of the mouth of the Ouse, are the remains of a military encampment; and the strata of the sub-soil of this eminence contains some curious minerals and fossils. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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