WRECK OF THE SS NEWSTEAD

An early photo of a ship ashore

By Derek Longly

Amongst the old photos of ships that were given to me after my Grandfather died was this one of a ship which I believe to be named the SS Newstead showing her aground in Seaford Bay with local tugs in attendance.  The quality of the photo is rather poor in view of its age but toward the stern of the ship waves can just be made out crashing over her after end.  The lifeboat can be seen lying in the lee of the weather on the ship's port side.

I have no information about either the ship or when this grounding occurred and wonder whether anyone can give any details about the event?  Information about the tugs and the lifeboat that was alongside at the time would also be appreciated if known.

Another intriguing question is how is it that the photograph appears to be an aerial one, would early aircraft have been suitable for someone to take a camera up in order to capture the picture and would anyone locally have been in a position to take such a flight?  The alternative is presumably that the ship was aground under the cliffs at Seaford and the photo was taken from there.

FURTHER INFORMATION:-  Records show the SS Newstead,  ran aground in dense fog under Seaford cliffs in March 1907 while on a voyage carrying barley from Capetown to Hamburg. The captain and crew were all rescued and the boat successfully refloated ten days later.

The Newhaven Lifeboat alongside would have been the  "Michael Henry " a motorised 37 foot boat.

            JOHN -- Editor

Photo:SS Newstead aground

SS Newstead aground

Derek Longly collection

This page was added by Derek Longly on 20/01/2012.
Comments about this page

Many thanks John for providing this information relating to the incident. The position of the wreck under the cliffs explains how the photographer appeared to be 'flying.' I am hopeful that someone may also be able to identify the tugs in the view as these were presumably ones which had come from Newhaven. Derek

By Derek Longly
On 20/01/2012

The Newstead incident came up when I was researching my talk on Newhaven's tugs for the Newhaven Historical Society. The larger of the two tugs is the 'Alert', a large 175 ton tug built in Southampton in 1898. Twin engines and twin screw, but alas only 66hp total! The smaller tug is 'Hauler', but I wasn't able to come up with any more information on her.

Could this be the tug Andy ?

" Hauler " Built 1905 at Papendrecht, Holland. Screw tug. L55'. B14.1'. D9.9'. 31grt. 35hp steam engine.  John - Editor

By Andy Gilbert
On 20/01/2012

Yes, John. That's her. I must admit to an 'oops' moment. I actually had that information in my file, but somehow never added it to my presentation crib sheets for that night. My previous comment was based on the wrong set of notes!

By Andy Gilbert
On 20/01/2012
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