Marina
Shelter: Excellent once through the lock and into the canal. The shallow water
(1.9m dredged) at the entrance can be very rough in strong on-shore winds and
dangerous in on-shore gales.
Lady Bee and Aldrington (E end of the canal) marinas, least depth 2m, both welcome
visitors; they are managed by the Harbour Authority. Visitors are advised not
to use the drying Western Arm if possible. Speed limit 4 kts.
The eastern arm leads to Prince George lock, the northerly of two locks, which
opens 24-hour @ H+30 for arrivals, and H for departures; also, if not busy at
other times, on request. Lock entrance is 6m wide, pontoon inside on S wall;
Lock signals 3 R do not approach; GWG -= clear to approach.
VHF c. 14.
Phone 01273- 593801 (best to pre-book)
General
Lady Bee Marina is situated just inside the Port’s main shipping canal.
There approximately 120 pontoon berths and among the facilities available are
water and electricity, shower block, chandlers, Spanish restaurant and bar as
well as ample parking. Within walking distance are the railway station, buses,
taxis and small shopping centre in Southwick Square. The Holmbush centre with
Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Sainbury’s Homebase, just five minutes away
by car.
Further along the canal, beyond Sussex Yacht Club moorings, and continuing east,
we reach Aldrington Quay which is adjacent to the newly constructed Hove Enterprise
Centre business units and accommodation.
These are quayside berths, more suitable for larger vessels which can exceed
100’. There are adequate parking spaces, shower facilities, electricity
and water on quayside within walking distance of Portslade railway station,
buses and shopping centre.
Being berthed inside the canal gives shelter from bad weather and ensures the
comfort of deep water and security.
Visiting craft welcome at both sites, which are managed by Graham Barnes Tel:
(01273) 591705.
Shoreham Port Authority recently reconstructed The Prince George Lock exclusively
for the use of small craft. This enables vessels to enter and leave much more
easily and faster. Manned 24 hours, this allows access at most states of the
tide for shallow draft vessels.
Locking Times – Guidance times for yachtsmen
1. The Prince George Lock has been fitted with sector gates and is open for
use by yachts and small commercial vessels and fishing boats.
2. The lock is available in the high and low water periods.
Departure times from the canal will be on the hour.
Entry times in to the canal will be at the half hour.
3. Small craft when waiting for the Prince George Lock are allowed to wait on
the outer lead-in and inner lead-in to the Prince George Lock but at all times
must remain manned and ready to move.
4. The outer sill of the Prince George Lock 0.26 metres below the Lowest Astronomical
Tide.
Sussex Yacht Club is based at Shoreham-by-Sea. Its main Clubhouse is on the
north bank of the river Adur in the Western Arm of the Harbour. Here there is
a clubhouse; bar; lunchtime restaurant; 80 drying moorings; 10-tonne boat lift;
a 30- tonne slipping; boat lay-up and dinghy parking.; In the locked basin in
the Eastern Arm the club has 48 deep moorings and another Clubhouse used for
shore-based RYA Yacht master; Day skipper; VHF and First Aid instruction and
is open for social events on an ad hoc basis.; The clubhouse has active cruiser;
dingy and rowing sections with full racing; rallying and social programmes.
History
In Roman Times – Portus Adurni is situated on the lower reaches of the
River Adur, and a highway is built between the Port and London passing through
Portus Ladus (“the way to the Port”) now known as Portslade.
Circa 500 A.D – Saxons land at the mouth of the River Adur and name the
local town.
1086 – Domesday Book includes reference to the township of “Soresham”.
In Norman Times – Trade expands rapidly for Port as major importer of
wine and exporter of wool.
1199 – King John lands at Shoreham with a large army and trade expands
further, by the beginning of the 13 th Century Shoreham has become a Royal Arsenal
and an important station for the landing and embarking of troops.
1346 – Shipbuilding has become a major activity in the Port and Shoreham
supplies 26 ships to Edward III for his fight with the French.
1651 – King Charles II makes his escape from England to Fecamp in the
coal brig “Surprise”.
1760 – The Commissioners of Shoreham Harbour meet for the first time in
an endeavour to make a new cut to the sea to beat the problem of shingle accumulation.
1816 – A second cut is made in the shingle embankment at the site of the
present entrance.
1826 – The first Middle Pier is built at the north bank of the Port to
regulate the tide.
1850 – A lock is built on the site of the present dry dock.
1855 - The locked canal is opened to shipping for the first time.
1870 – Gas Works constructed on the south bank of the canal.
1897 – Brighton Corporation constructs an electricity generating station.
Coal imports increase substantially.
1917 – Shoreham is chosen by the Admiralty for the construction of the
so-called “Mystery Towers”.
1933 – The Prince George Lock is opened and the depth of the canal is
deepened.
1944 – Shoreham is a departure point for troops participating in the D-Day
landings in Normandy.
1953 – Shoreham selected as location for a further coal fired power station.
1957 - Major developments including a new entrance and the construction of East
and West breakwaters are completed.
1958 - Prince Philip Lock is opened by His Royal Highness.
1960s and 70s – Trade flourishes with a wide range of imports and exports.
1987 – Brighton B power station closes precipitating a major downturn
in the Port’s fortunes.
1996 – New management team takes over and starts to re-establish Shoreham’s
position.
1997 – Final chimney of old power station demolished and acquisition of
Sussex Port Forwarding completed.
2000 – New Power Station constructed.
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