H. COLGATE & GRAY
Potted history of Colgate & Gray (chalk, whiting & ice merchants)
By Violet Godfrey (nee White) & John Hills
Colgate & Gray started business in 1882 when they acquired land and chalk pit from the Earl of Sheffield which also included the railway line from the chalk pit to the 3 landing stages on the river (see map below), near to the stage where the RNLI Newhaven lifeboat is moored today.
They primarily exported chalk which was mainly used as ballast, in the early days, for the sailing ships that unloaded their cargo at the port. They also traded a derivative of chalk called "whiting" which was used in the manufacturing process of linoleum a type of floor covering.
The firm also imported ice which was a seasonal trade during the spring and summer months and delivered by ship from the Baltic Sea region in the form of large blocks, which were stored in the quarry in "ice houses", before being cut up and delivered to local traders and hotels in the Sussex area. This trade ceased before 1914.
The "whiting" was made from chalk which was blasted from the quarry, then loaded into small skips and taken to be crushed. Then ground up and mixed with water to form a slurry and left to settle in large troughs. After being left to dry it was broken up and put in drying racks to harden.
The chalk and whiting was carried in trucks drawn by a single horse to the waiting ships, the trucks unique design was to be hinged at the front.
To load a vessel the horse would gallop to the loading stage pulling a single wagon, it would then be released by pulling a cord which uncoupled the wagon. The wagon then moved forward at speed under its own momentum until the wheels of the leading axle entered the U shape depression in the rail. At this point the wagon body would tip forward, discharging its load into the hold of the ship by means of a drawbridge type chute. At the last moment before the wagon body upturned a safety catch was hooked on the wagon to stop it dropping into the ship's hold.
On one occasion a loaded wagon in the charge of Arthur White was deposited complete with its load into the hold of the vessel!
The very last shipment from the quarry was on 3rd September 1939.
Colegate and Gray workers 1932
Violet Godfrey
Workers of Colgate and Gray pictured c 1932.
Back row left to right:-
Alf Dunstall, Len Medhurst, Fred Cousins, Arthur White (father of Violet Godfrey nee White), Ned Hoad.
Middle row left to right:-
Charlie Funnell, Harry Beard (foreman), "Micky" Gray (owner), Harry Breeds, John (Jack) Everest.
Front row left to right:-
Harry Hillman, Horace Eastern, George Baker, Ted Chilman.
Reverse of photo with names
Violet Godfrey
Harry Breeds with trucks of chalk
Old postcard
Harry Breeds leading a horse pulling at least 6 or 7 trucks full of chalk from Meeching Quarry, down to the landing stages on the west side, with the Sheffield Arms Hotel in the background, which now houses a Co-op Store.
Earl of Sheffields tramway
Map showing the route of the tramway from the Quarry to the landing stages.
Ship moored on Ice stage in 1920
Ship moored at the landing stage which Colegate & Gray imported Ice from the Baltic region.
The Tramway from Colegate & Grays works in the quarry to the 3 landing stages can clearly be seen in this picture from 1920.