HARBOUR AIR VIEW

This remarkable sepia‑toned aerial shot captures Newhaven’s bustling harbour on the Sussex coast in the early 1930s. From this vantage point you can make out the sweeping curve of the River Ouse as it meets the English Channel, the long breakwater protecting the docks, and the quayside sheds where cargoes of coal, timber and agricultural produce were unloaded. Beyond the harbour basin lie the town’s terraced streets, the railway lines that linked Newhaven to Lewes and Brighton, and the rolling chalk downland that frames this historic port.

Historical Context
By 1931, Newhaven had firmly established itself as one of England’s key cross‑channel ports. Originally developed in the late 19th century to accommodate steam ferries to Dieppe, the harbour underwent further expansion between the Wars to handle growing volumes of freight and passenger traffic. Its deep‑water docks and modern rail connections made it vital for both commercial trade and coastal defence, offering a dramatic contrast between maritime enterprise and the tranquil Sussex countryside.

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