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Littlehampton & River Arun
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Littlehampton Ferries &
Floating Bridge
For many years a floating bridge ran across the
River Arun at Littlehampton. It was replaced by a swing bridge in 1908.
Littlehampton
floating bridge, posted 1903
Littlehampton floating
bridge
Monochrome variation on the card
above
Littlehampton floating
bridge
Similar to the card above, but note
slight differences, including the sign on the building to the right
Littlehampton floating
bridge
Modern photo of
Littlehampton floating bridge, c.1903
Pamlyn Collectorcard C1551
of Littlehampton floating bridge shortly before the opening of the swing
bridge
Littlehampton Paddle
Steamers
Littlehampton port had paddle tugs to assist
sailing ships in and out of the river. Sussex coast paddle steamers were
also based there, particularly the Worthing Belle between
1901-1913, previously the Diana Vernon of the North British
Railway based on the Clyde.
Littlehampton Excursion
Motor Boats
During the inter-war years a fleet of motor boats
operated from Littlehampton on short sea cruises and trips on the River
Arun. I have no information on these vessels and whether any operated
after the war (which seems likely). All the postcards that I have appear
to be pre-WW2.
Britannia
The Britannia fleet consisted of at least five
motor boats, including Britannia, Britannia II, Britannia III
and Surf. the latter appears to be smaller than the
Britannia boats. A fifth boat of Britannia size may
have been Britannia IV, but I cannot confirm this unless more
images come to light.
Valentine's
Postcard of Britannia at Littlehampton, loading for a
trip to Arundel
Britannia
at Littlehampton
Britannia II
Britannia II
at Littlehampton, with Britannia III behind
Britannia II at
Littlehampton
The furthest boat is Britannia III and the
second boat out is Britannia
The boat between them with a
ventilator on the foredeck is unidentified - Britannia IV?
Britannia III
Britannia III
behind Britannia II at Littlehampton
Lady Nancy
Photographic
postcard of passengers on Lady Nancy at Littlehampton
Lady Nancy at
Littlehampton
Alternative copy of the
card above
Postcard
of Littlehampton with Lady Nancy, posted 1932
Nancy Lee
Valentine's
Postcard of Nancy Lee at Littlehampton, loading for a
10:30am River Arun cruise
At 2:30pm
she is running a trip to Amberley - Two other boats are loading
in the background - This card was posted in 1927
Freedom
(Kingfisher
Cruises: 2003-2008)
Kingfisher
Cruises'
boat
Freedom left the quay at Littlehampton
at 10am on most days (charters permitting) and took about an
hour to sail up the six miles of the River Arun to reach Arundel,
where she berthed just down river of the town bridge.
Freedom then ran short trips
further upriver until 2pm, when she departed again for Littlehampton.
Passengers making the return trip from Littlehampton had three
hours in Arundel. Further short trips from Littlehampton were
then run from 3pm. 2007 was the fifth season of Kingfisher operations
from Littlehampton. Both scheduled and charter fish & chips
cruises were also available. Operations appear to have ceased
in 2009 (source: Littlehampton Harbour Master's office).
Freedom was built as a Norfolk Broads holiday cruiser
for Weald & Sons Cruisers some time between 1968 and 1972.
She later spent a period as a house boat in London before moving
to Littlehampton around 2000. The current owners
Kingfisher
Cruises
acquired her and commenced operations as 12-passenger day boat
in 2003. Over the winter 2006/2007
Freedom was refitted internally,
strengthened and given increased buoyancy to receive an MCA certificate
for 28 passengers. Whilst largely enclosed, there is a small
open area in the bow, plus the panoramic windows and a section
of the roof can be opened.
Freedom
moved to Bristol when the Arun service ceased.
More images of Freedom and Kingfisher Cruises
Freedom at ArundelPhoto:
© Ian Boyle, 25th July 2007
Freedom at Arundel
Photo:
© Ian Boyle, 25th July 2007
Freedom at Arundel
Photo:
© Ian Boyle, 25th July 2007
Littlehampton Piers
Postcard of
Littlehampton Pier (breakwaters)
Postcard of
Littlehampton
Postcard of
Littlehampton (eastern breakwater)
Postcard of
Littlehampton
Postcard of
Littlehampton
Postcard of
Littlehampton (eastern breakwater)
Postcard of
Littlehampton Pier (eastern breakwater) with speedboat Flash
Littlehampton
Pier (eastern breakwater)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st July 2007
Littlehampton
Pier (eastern breakwater)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st July 2007
Littlehampton
Pier (eastern breakwater)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st July 2007
Littlehampton
Pier beacon (east breakwater)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st July 2007
Littlehampton
Pier (western breakwater)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st July 2007
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