BRIGHTON AND MEECHING
A harbour view from 1966
By Andy Gilbert
Brighton and Meeching (Click to enlarge)
Courtesy of 'found in a attic'
I came across this view on Flickr and the contributor, by the name of 'Found in a attic' (!) has kindly allowed me to share it here.
Taking pride of place at the corner of the Railway Quay is Brighton (VI). She has been painted in the Monastral Blue hull colour that first appeared on Sealink ships in 1965 - she was repainted during her Winter refit - but like all Newhaven-Dieppe ships, she has retained the buff funnel and black top.
1966 would be her last season on the route. She had been relegated to day excursions only from 1964, when the car ferry service started. She would be sold at the end of the year. Her 1966 season was also disrupted by the nationwide seamen's strike that year.
Interesting factoid: The TV series 'King of the River' was filmed in Newhaven that year. They needed a Russian ship and, with none being available, Brighton was pressed into service. I don't remember if she was given a Russian name, but I do remember seeing her flying the Soviet flag!
On the other side of the river we see Meeching at her usual spot at No.5 Stage, also in the new British Railways colours. Immediately North of her is the Esso Seaford Bay refuelling barge and the trimaran taking on fuel looks like one of Arthur Piver's larger designs. Up river again and there's an RAF pinnace at her usual spot opposite the RAF base in Huggett's Field, it would probably be 1390 or 1392. Ahead of her is the harbour work barge Barrowhead.
Just behind the RAF pinnace we can clearly see Lorraine, the house on Fort Road with the distinctive tower.