CALLERS FOR REPAIR AND LAY-UP

During the 1970's & 80's

By Derek Longly

A variety of interesting and sometimes unusual vessels would call at Newhaven for annual overhaul or lay up, sometimes in the latter case shortly before being sold off for scrap. 

The majority of these vessels belonged to British Railways (later Sealink) and would either spend time here through the winter months or be overhauled alongside the repair shops close to the swing bridge.

With their often being in port for quite long periods I was fortunate enough to be able to go aboard a few of them.  It was interesting to see their accommodation looking very different to how it was when they were in service with chairs and tables upended, a general air of slight neglect and, of course, with their engine rooms cold and gloomy instead of vibrant with life.

A selection of these ships is depicted in the accompanying photographs.  There is also one which was quite a unique visitor in the form of the Medina. A one time vessel employed on the Southampton to Cowes I.O.W. run by Red Funnel Steamers.  When disposed of by them she was converted into a bar/club house and called at Newhaven briefly when being taken from Brighton Marina to another location.