TS WORTHING ON THE SOUTH HARD
Emergency repairs
By Bryan Berry
We're used to seeing photos of our steamers on the gridiron but there were two other places where vessels could be left high and dry for underwater work. These were the South Hard and the smaller Hard next to the harbour Watch House.
This photo shows TS Worthing - in service here from 1928 to 1955 - on the South Hard. She was about to put to sea when a leak was discovered in the engine room, so she was immediately moved across for repairs. Now the South Hard was not completely flat and there was always a risk of rocks or boulders being caught underneath the ship when she settled as the tide ebbed. This time everything went well and the leak was repaired internally with a concrete patch.
Worthing on the Hard
Bryan Berry