Roll-on, roll-off and straight in the harbour!

This lasted from January 14 to February 9, 1982.

My principle has always been to remain completely neutral in such matters; it just seemed that British Rail and its shipping was heading for disaster.

The Senlac came here, new, in 1973, replacing the steam ship Falaise, a Southampton passenger vessel which was converted to a car ferry. She had introduced the new mode of travelling here in 1964, sealing the fate of the passenger boats.

Falaise loaded and discharged through her stern only, as did the two French motor vessels Villandry and Valencay, which followed in 1964 and 1965.

They were fine workhorses but eventually and no doubt at great cost, they were cut for about two- thirds of their length, the whole body becoming at a higher level and everything joined up again. It was all to do with their garaging abilities and ramps thereto.

At the same time their bows were converted to opening, so when the Senlac was in service we then had three roll-on roll-offs on the crossing.

Drive through was the way of the time and Newhaven was there '“ no more ferries turning at sea and reversing into port.

Unfortunately, video cameras were a fairly new craze when the Senlac came, for she featured in a programme called Not the Nine o' Clock News, I recall.

Cars were pouring into the stern of the vessel as she sat at the ramp and the bow was also open. Some scrap cars, a driver and a crane on the quay, enabled the viewer to see real cars driving on, supposedly driving straight through and out of the open front and into the harbour in a succession of splashes.

It was quite hilarious to watch, the antics and despair of the mock attendant who couldn't understand why his garage never filled was really amusing, but videos were a new thing then and I don't expect it was recorded.

Another thing that happened in the early days of the Falaise: a steam engine brought a long train of carriages and car transporters all the way from Scotland, so the occupants could sleep overnight and drive fresh into the ferry with the minimum of bother.

I don't recollect why this ceased, but maybe the operating (or not) of the railways over such a distance may have had something to do with the closure, or even the ending of steam.

So return to the Senlac. Yes, the name had a Sussex connection '“ the Battle of Hastings '“ but not a very happy one.

Reproductions from the Bayeux Tapestry and other Norman features, which gave the interior some distinction, must surely puzzle the holidaymakers who travel on the vessel around the Greek islands where she now works.

Her survival is uncertain, for early this year she was up for sale, though still thought to be in good condition. Thirty-three years is quite a good run.

While here she sported two sisters, Hengist and Horsa. They operated out of Folkestone, but sadly that service has long ceased.

Senlac was the last real Newhaven boat. The many ex-crew still around will not hesitate to agree!

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Summer opening hours are daily, 2-4pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk