Great changes took place in the marshes from 1250 onwards, but as yet the town of old Winchelsea was apparently not threatened. Matthew Paris, the thirteenth century chronicler, described damage done by the sea in 1250 and 1252 to the neighbourhood of the port, but the town as such appears to have escaped harm. Continue reading Smeaton’s Harbour
In Rye and district the name of Hinds is synonymous with the word “Timber”. For more than a century this family business, now under the name of Thomas Hinds & Sons (Rye) Ltd., has been importing and selling softwood to the builders and other users of timber in this area. Continue reading Rye at Work 1950s
The English fleet lay at anchor in the lagoon that stretched from the foot of the hill on which New Winchelsea is built to the cliffs of Rye. The forty or so Cinque Ports built ships were a hive of activity, preparations for battle were well under way. Word had come that a great force of Spanish ships were passing along the Kent coast having come from Sluys in Belgium where they had loaded their ships with many men and materials with which to effect raids on England. Continue reading The Battle of Rye Bay
Eighteen small boats from the Port of Rye tied up in Boulogne Harbour over the Whitsun holiday and their crews enjoyed a few days on French soil. The small fleet left Rye Harbour in the early morning of Whit Saturday and set off into the stiff wind heading for Dungeness Point and then on to Boulogne.
On the cross channel journey, somewhere between Dungeness and Boulogne, tragedy struck the eighteen foot boat “Rosina”. No other boat was near her when she ran into trouble. The crew of two, Mr. Gibson, a grocer of Ferry Road, Rye and his brother-in-law, Mr. Skinner were lost. When the “Rosina” was reported missing a full scale search was mounted but despite the clear weather the damaged boat was not found until the following Tuesday, one body was recovered by a fishing boat. Several of the boats turned back at about the half way point on the outward journey but 18 boats, including the “Little Robert” with our camera team aboard, continued on course and safely put into Boulogne Harbour.
“Little Robert” the smallest and slowest of the boats to complete the trip, was at sea for seven hours. The wind was still fairly strong when the time came for the return trip but with favourable tides and currents the Rye fleet made good time. All 18 boats were safely in Rye Harbour by 6.30 on Whit Monday evening. “Little Robert” took only 5 hours for the 40 mile return crossing. Boats to complete the trip were — Sariki, Waterwitch, Atlanta, Scoter, Zingara, Shelduck, Chiloe, Inverurie, Condeline, Goose-Girl, Dove, Manana, Red Cloverx, Alouette, Little Robert, Industry II, Veritas, Sagapo.
From “Rye’s Own” July 1966 Issue
Proposed opening and presentation of Rye Harbour R.N.L.I. Inshore rescue boat booked for Easter Monday afternoon. A “Good Do” well worth attending.
“Carrick Lass,” new Scottish type Trawler of 50’ L.O.A. now fishing out of Rye. Owner: D. Lamb, Skipper: M. Sharp, Crew: R. Smith. Continue reading On The Waterfront
The Royal Tournament this year will be of great interest to a well known Rye family. Mr. & Mrs. E. Polhill of 8 Eagle Road have just cause to be proud of their only son Graham, who has been selected to run for the Portsmouth Command Field Gun Crew at this unique event. Continue reading Rye Lad in Royal Tournament
Old photographs by kind permission of Mr. B. Jones
The sea has been a magnet to man since the first recorded history of the world, it first provided food and then presented a challenge. The challenge was accepted, first by the Vikings from Scandinavia then by the English and Spaniards, and Continue reading Aground in the Bay
Amongst the mass of pictures that have been brought into our office after our appeals in Rye’s Own, were two remarkable pictures of the Rye Regatta, one of which is reproduced here. Regattas were held at the Fishmarket up to 1913, and as can be seen by the photograph, they were very popular events. Continue reading Rye Regatta
