West Sussex Record Office

Land Drainage Records,, correspondence with the Admiralty regarding damage to Medmery and Felpham Sluices, 1908-10

Admiralty charts of the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea, 1811-72

Sussex Vice-Admiralty Court Papers, 1638-88, comprising  foreshore rights

File of papers relating to the taking of gravel from Shoreham beach, c.1805

Goodwood , bundle of documents and some memoranda, mainly printed, relating principally to the Board of Trade and Scottish fore-shores, 1866-8

Report of legal investigation made in 1927 into foreshore rights in West Wittering

Extracts from Diocesan records concerning foreshore rights

Papers of Sir William More of Loseley, Vice-Admiral for Sussex, 1559-99

Coloured plan of Sussex coast made by Deputy Lieutenants, 1587

Facsimile of Armada report from the English Mercurie

Contracts for removal of pill boxes, gun emplacements, cube defences on Worthing seafront, 1945

Marriage settlement with reference to land reclaimed from sea in Selsey, 1705

Extract relating to West Sussex of the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion, 1911

Dissertation by R.C. Treweeks on coast erosion in West Sussex, 1940

Report of a public meeting held to consider new proposal and amends for reclamation schemes at West Wittering, 1935

Photocopies of plans showing extent of erosion, 1875-1950, West Wittering to Payham, 1950

Cutteford family papers inc. commissions to John Cutteford to office of waiter and searcher for Bristol, 1656-62

Papers relating to Customs comprising Custom's Officers' appointments for the prts of Arundel and Chichester, 1803-25; report by JonGipps, commander of the Hawk, revenue cutter at Littlehampton, on the methods of smuggling from the Channel

Ts copy of notes on tariff reform by Joseph Robinson of Littlehampton compiled c.1906

Records relating to smuggling offences on Sussex coast, 1826-7, comprising informations, notes of evidence, affadavits

Copies of documents relating to the Galley and Chater murders by smugglers, 1748-9

Photocopies of letters with reference to Sussex smuggling in 1855; service on Owers lightship in 1898

Copy of reminiscences of Joseph Robinson of Pagham and Littlehampton regarding smuggling and shipping, 1917 [also MP 2216]

Thesis on Sussex smuggling, 1974

Oral history tape relating to smuggling, 1978

Oral history tape relating to smuggling, 1972

Oral history tape relating to smuggling, 1988

Three pairs of French gloves, possibly eighteenth-century, thought to have been smuggled and newspaper cutting, mid-twentieth century

Papers relating to smuggling, 1740-50, inc. misc. papers regarding tea running near Elmer Sluice in Middleton; letters and papers regarding smugglers' attack on the Poole Customs House; papers relating to the murder of Thomas Carswell, Hastings ex

Printed account of the murders of William Galley and Daniel Chater, customs officers, 1749

Copy of permit concerning confiscated contraband spirits from Shoreham, 1764

Photocopy of indenture by Shoreham Customs Controllers regarding 93 casks of brandy

Series of papers of William Hall, comprising correspondence, memoranda, verse and probate records, 1811-40, fo.29, discovery of casks of brandy

Customs officers' valuation of 93 casks of foreign brandy found near Chichester, 27 October 1764

Book of newspaper cuttings relating to the history and natural history of Sussex, 1867-76, inc. smuggling

Family letter book inc. fo.17, copy account of dispute with excise officers over alleged smuggling of tea, 1802

Ts of will of John Locke, fisherman of Littlehampton of 1556

Memoranda regarding stocking of rectory fish ponds at Horstead Keynes, 1659-78, 1698, 1722-31

Deed of messuage inc. Ambersham manor fishery, 1737

Papers of Sussex Piscatorial Society, 1891-1978, comprising minute books, loose minutes, menu card, regulations

Printed programmes for Cornwall County Fisheries Exhibition, 1893

Ts of case documents relating to Aran fisheries dispute in Sussex Summer Assizes, 1900

Household sundry account of St Margaret's College, East Grinstead, with G. Brown, fishmonger, 1928-33

Sale particulars with mention of fishing rights on River Rother at Fittleworth, 1957

Sketches, watercolours, engravings and other illustrations relating to the Aegian Islands, mainly early nineteenth century, inc. of sailing ships

Book of watercolours, early nineteenth century, inc. of mouth of the Exe estuary, Hull harbour

Photograph album of Revd Robert Witherby, c.1860s, inc. of Babbacombe Bay, Seville harbour, HMS Algiers at Valetta

Photographs of crew of HMS Una at Horsham, 1943

Minutes of Bognor Regis Pier Committee, 1892-1909, Pier and Band Committee, 1909-10

Minutes of the Littlehampton Green and Foreshore Committee (later Pleasure Grounds and Foreshore Committee), 1900-1971

Records of Littlehampton Port Sanitary Authority, 1886-1933, inc. minutes, general ledger, financial statements, medical officer's annual reports, sanitary inspector's reports, clerk's correspondence

Journal of Revd T. Sockett with description of Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, 1805-7

Microfilm of journal by Charles Mitford of tour on the continent, 1816

Journal of tour through the Continent inc. Malta, Sicily and Ionian Islands, 1840-1

Extracts from journal of travels from Heraut through Russia, 1843

Microfilm of part of the journal of Charlotte Elizabeth White on holiday at Bognor and Chichester, 1848

Travel journal to Egypt, Palestine and Greece, 1880

Notes of a journey to Scandinavia, 1-10 October 1887

Journal by Major Ainsworth of a voyage on the SS Reina del Mar from Liverpool to Valparaiso, 1964

Certificate of competency of John Anderton Greenwood as Master of own yacht, 1895

Records of the Solent Sunbeams inc. general files, 1949-78; subject files, 1923-79

Records of the Solent Sunbeams, comprising general files, 1979-81; subject files, 1977-9

Photocopy of the membership list and rules of the Dell Quay Boating Club, 1934, statement of accounts, 1933

Plan of the building of the Arun yacht Club, Littlehampton, 1960-2

Notes on the pleasure boats and ships owned by the third and fourth earls Egremont, 1983

Letter from William Austin, pilot at Shoreham to Mr Blacker at Worthing regarding apprentice sailor, 1839

Copy letter from James Grevett, master of the Attossa, to his wife Charlotte, 25 February 1891

`The Sailor's Grave' lines on Lieut. William Williams, 11 February 1832

Handbill advertising two Grand Benefit Concerts in aid of the Titanic Relief Fund, Bognor, 24 April 1912

Certificate presented to Elizabeth Tudor by the Putney branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, 1919

Parliamentary letters and papers inc. relating to Sea Apprentices Bill, 1833

Legal brief regarding obstruction in river Shoreham to shipbuilding and trade, 1737

Photocopy of letter from Richard Biddulph, Lord of the Manor of Lancing, to John Browne with mention of ship's hulk in river, 11 June 1754

Letters, notes and plans of Thomas Forrest, navigator, 1760-2, mostly relating to west coast of Sumatra inc. 5-6, letters to Thomas Phipps, relating attack by the French on Bencoolen, 16 July 1760, relating his command of the Bonetta, 30 De

Parchment covered-book with naval signals, c.1800

Notes on the career of Captain James Alms

GCE A Level thesis on Royal Navy in the eighteenth century, 1984

Navy Act Papers, 1795-7

Navy papers of William Stanhope Badcock, 1805-59, inc. account of battle of Trafalgar on HMS Neptune, 21 October 1805; orders, copies of appointments, 1805-46; notice of election to Royal Naval Club of 1765, 1838; memorandum on impressment,

Navy Office list of HM Royal Navy, 1812

Advertising leaflet for Royal Navy, twentieth century

Notes on HMS Sussex, 1929-49

Paper relating to West Sussex warship adoption, 1941-2

Logbooks of Vice-Admiral William Stanhope Badcock Lovell, 1814-20, Vice-Admiral William Stanhope Badcock Lovell, 1814-44

Logbooks of HMS Centaur, 1851-2 & HMS Bonetta, 1852-3

Navy Act Papers, comprising Quarter Sessions lists of assessed houses submitted by Surveyor of Duties, Treasurer's Account of Fines, 1795; lists of men enrolled, returns of parishes to the justices, justices' certificates of enrolment, 1795, 1796-

Recollections of James Hooke of Southwick, 1886, with mention of press gangs, the harbour and shipping

Royal Navy recruiting leaflet and Admiralty booklet, 1939-43

Letter from Messrs Neate & Pigou regarding release of prisoners for ships, 30 May 1763

Admiralty instructions to Captain Graves of the Antelope and to the Commander of H.M. ships in America, June 1763, with related papers

Letter from John Magee to Thomas Gibson referring to actions between French and British frigates and the fort at Madagascar, 13 July 1845

Unlisted Collection inc. letters from Charles Bishop to his family while on HMS Renown, Kent, Hazard, Egyptienne, Muros, in the Channel, Mediterranean, Nova Scotia, etc., 1801-7

Lyons Papers, part of the Arundel archives, comprising firstly, papers of Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, including diaries, 1819-53; engagement books, 1837-57; letter, order and dispatch books, mostly 1853-8; correspondence files, 1815-58; logbooks, 18

Letter book by F.A. Maxse, Captain of HMS Ariel, 1856-7

Bundle of misc. papers inc. 8, memorandum by H. Corry on the navy, December 1867

Bundle of letters from J. Mellish from Portsmouth and A. Burnaby at the Prize Office to Charles Goring at the House of Commons regarding payment of accounts and two prize ships at Portsmouth, 27 October 1704 - 1 February 1705, with accounts of Cha

Admission ticket into funeral procession from the Admiralty to St Paul's Cathedral of Vice Admiral Horatio Viscount Nelson, 9 January 1806

Certificates of appointments of William Donald as surgeons on HMS Dispatch, 1805, HMS Curacao, 1811

Papers relating to Henry Courtney, 1807-46, inc. certificates of service, 1807-41; ms essay on three types of naval officers, 1830

Bundle of mostly printed papers relating to the Commission to Inquiry into naval and military promotion and retirement, 1838-9

Admission ticket for the Portsmouth Grand Testimonial Banquet in honour of offices and men of the British Army, Navy and Royal Marines engaged in former Russian war, 16-17 September 1856

Papers of Alfred John Hoare, inc. service certificates, 1897-89; personal account of naval service, 1879-88; photograph of HMS Active, c.1885; letter regarding Mediterranean tour, 1886; certificates of competence, 1887-9

Naval service papers of William Burchall of Bury, early twentieth century

Commission of Frank Richard Pagden Pepper as Temporary Surgeon Lieut. in R.N.V.R., 2 July 1940

Copies of documents relating to Ship Money assessments in Chichester

Papers regarding privateer taking the Vigilante of Bordeaux to New York, 1763

Littlehampton Harbour Records, inc. minutes, commissioners oath books, correspondence, general account books, cargoes and vessels dues, 1733-1927

Shoreham Harbour Records1760-1951, inc. minute books, letter files and books [some records retained]

Petitions or memorials for restoring Rye Harbour, post 1765

Papers relating to Shoreham Harbour Trustees, 1841-1958

Misc. papers regarding Shoreham harbour, 1873-87, inc. correspondence, notices and printed statements of accounts of Shoreham Harbour Trustees

Chichester Harbour Records, c.1940-72, relating to administration, finance, leases, licences, agreements, purchase of land, buildings and equipment, harbour management, marinas, sailing clubs, etc.

Unclassified collection of papers, inc. relating to the Bristol Dock Company, n.d.

Newspaper reports of smuggling west of river Arun, 1761-1981

Title deeds and related papers regarding land on which was built eight cottages, storehouse and armoury for the Bognor coast guard service, 1829-72

Service papers of George Russell as Wortham and Elmer coastguard boatman, 1839-51

Extracts from PRO records inc. of seamen's tickets issued at Arundel in 1845 and from the Muster Book of the Camelion, revenue cutter

Sale particulars of coastguard station, East Preston, 1895

Papers relating to Worthing lifeboat, 1855-75

Negative of Selsey lifeboat at sea

Microfilm of West Sussex Gazette with information relating to the Friend, first Selsey lifeboat, 1861

Volume of returns of service of Worthing lifeboat, 1914-29

Printed address concerning floating light vessels and buoys presented by John S. Enys to Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, nineteenth century

Leases with mention of Crown grants of half wrecks in Isle of Selsey to Lord of Manor, 1613, 1634, 1759

Declaration of parishioners concerning rights of wreck, 1712

Letter from Richard Carver to John Newland regarding two casks of oil claimed as wreck of the sea, 1791

Oral history tape relating to shipwrecks off coast near Chichester, c.1870

Photocopies of papers in PRO relating to shipping from 1514 to 1548

Papers of R.H. Penney & Sons, merchants and shippers, 1824-1958, inc. 47100, account book, 1824-7 with notes of insurance policies, shares of steam boats, moieities of the Jessamine, Adur, Spry, Trial, Menodora

Log of the Arundel, 1774-5

Letters to Robert Russell, 1789-92, inc. from John Dryden, at Gravesend, concerning the Arnold Polly and the Triton, 1789

Volume of accounts, 1782-98, inc. of P.S. Bruff, commander of the sloop Goodwood

Log of the Lord Eldon possibly by Richard Halstead, 1810-12

Goodwood Ms 823, bundle of documents relating to amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854

Collection of letters inc. description of the St Antoine, a Spanish ship sheltering in the island of Barra, n.d., in French

Articles of agreement for sale of 800 oak trees for shipbuilding, 17 January 1695

Bill of sale, building accounts and running accounts of the Egremont, brig of Littlehampton, 1795-7

Documents relating to restrictions on the use of ships built in India, 1814-15

Letter from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to Earl Russell regarding the building of the Alabama, 1863

Apprenticeship indenture of shipwright at Harvey's yard, Littlehampton, 1902

Sale particulars of catalogue of stock of yacht builder, Littlehampton, 1928

Insurance certificate for the Nasa de Graca, 1739; insurance policies for the Grantham, Wager and the Prince Edward, 1745-57; deed of share of the Grantham, 1746

Deeds of the Providence of Southampton, 1801; deed of share in the Port Merchant, and the Manhood (formerly the Friendship), of the the Wittering, 1760-81; bill of sale of the Ann and Elizabeth of Chichest

Bill of sale of the Corsair, 1853

Conveyance regarding the Favourite of Cowes, 8 April 1820

Conveyance of shares in the Prosperity of Chichester, 25 June 1828

Papers of Robert Horne Penney of Southwick, ship owner and manager, 1858-79, inc. account book, 1858-79; ship management agreements, 1868-77; ships' accounts, 1873-5; schedule of ships, 1877

Notebook of inventories and valuations inc. h, of the George, ketch of Littlehampton, 21 March 1889

Sale particulars of shares in Annie, Susie, Maggie, Nellie, sailing barges and the Capitaine, steam launch, 1897

Misc. collection of papers inc. newspaper advertisements for steam-packet vessels (Liverpool to Belfast) and Royal mail steamships, mid-nineteenth century

Arundel registers of ships, 1824-55

Chichester register of ships, 1837-52

Littlehampton registers of fishing boats, 1869-1902

Shoreham registers of ships, 1821-37, 1848-74

Shoreham transaction register of ships, 1828-82

Shoreham registers of fishing boats, 1902-16

Collection of c.110 boxes of logbooks, crew agreements and accounts of crews and voyages, relating to 461 vessels of Shoreham and Arundel (later Littlehampton), 1863-1913

Deeds relating to plantations and slaves in the West Indies, 1730-75

Account of varieties of corn exported from England, Christmas 1748 to Christmas 1750, with note of ports

Account of the quantity of brandy and spirits imported into England, Christmas 1751 to Christmas 1758

Papers relating to co-partnership of John and Philip Vaughan as West India merchants the Colchis estate, 1814-36

Papers of Tudor, Moore and Co., general merchandise, trading from London with South America, 1863-1904

Business letters, in Spanish, concerning mercantile affairs in Argentina and Uruguay, 1861-73

Letters from Owen Scripps Tudor in Buenos Aires to his family regarding development of mercantile business in Argentina, 1862 [also see 31485, 34646-9]

Paper by John S. Enys on ancient Mediterranean trade with Cornwall and illustrated map of coast, nineteenth century

Diary of a voyage on a cargo boat calling at ports in Holland, France, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Rumania, 1962

Poster of the timetable of the London-Honfleur via Littlehampton scre steamer service in 1869

Copy letter book and precedent book of Capt. W.G. Luard of the Reserve, 1867-71

Naval papers of F.A. Maxse, 1846-75, inc. certificates of entry, good conduct, examinations and appointments, papers relating to retirement, 1846-75; log of HMS Raleigh, 1846-9, Kestrel, Hydra, Hydra, Pandora, 18

See `An Index to the Correspondence of Leopold J. Maxse and Katharine his wife, 1876-1932' held at the office for details relating to letters concerned with the Royal Navy, 1908-26, Navy League, 1909-15

Minute book of Slindon branch of the Navy League, 2 March 1910 - 18 September 1969

Printed judgement of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council regarding appeals of the Franciska and the Johanna Maria, 1855

Copy of statement sent by John F. Crampton to the U.S. Secretary of State concerning neutral shipping, 21 April 1854

Papers of Richard Cobden relating to the Far East, inc. printed memoranda about ships in Chinese waters, 1844-50

Memorandum on `Ignorance and Mismanagement in the conduct of the naval department', 1779

Certificates of the service of Mathew Buckle as Captain's

 servant, Able-Seaman, and Midshipman from 4 February 1777 to 10 November

 1789. - ref. - date: 28 November 1788-10 November 1789

 Service in H.M. Navy belonging to HMS Valorous.' - ref. - date: 31

 December 1854

   Records name, rating, age, height, character, and ability as seaman.

   [others of interest in these papers]

   Brief for the prosecution,

   with witnesses' statements, in the case of Rex v. Thomas Spry, Thomas

 Duke, William Meeten and Thomas Trevett, accused of forcibly and

 illegally detaining William Souter and John Morley of Storrington. (2

 copies and draft) - ref. - date: 1805

   Spry and Duke were members of a pressgang based at Littlehampton, the

 other two were said to be notorious smugglers, and the pressing to have

 been set up because Souter stole some tubs of spirits from James Searle

 of Cootham Common, the master smuggler.

   FILE - Miscellaneous papers concerning smugglers and smuggling. - ref. -

 date: 1745-Nov 1749, nd

   Includes notes in the Duke's hand on tea running by armed smugglers near

 Elmer Sluice in Middleton, April 1745; papers about a robbery by

 smugglers at the house of William Wakeford near Woolmer, Hants., in Aug.

 1748.

   FILE - Letters and papers - ref. - date: Dec 1747-March 1749/50, nd

   Relating to the attack by smugglers on the Customs House at Poole,

 Dorset, in Oct. 1747; to the murder the following February at Harting of

 William Galley, sen., customs officer, of Southampton, and Daniel

 Chater, shoemaker, of Fordingbridge, Hants., who were endeavouring to

 bring them to justice, and to the capture and conviction of the

 smugglers.

   FILE - Papers - ref. - date: March 1749-Aug 1750, nd

   Relating to the murder by smugglers of Thomas Carswell, an excise riding

 officer, at Hastings, in Dec. 1740, and of Michael Bath, a dragoon

 guard, near Sea Place, Goring, in Jan. 1743/4, and the murderers'

 subsequent apprehension and conviction.

 - date: 6 September 1837

   (a) The Worshipful William Calverley Curtiss, Doctor of Laws, and

 Surrogate of Councillor Sir John Nicholl, kt., Doctor of Laws,

 Lieutenant of High Court of Admiralty (of which Court he is Official

 Principal and Commissary General and Special and President and Judge);

 (b) John Billing, Samuel Carden and Benjamin Bishop, the masters,

 owners, and crews of the smacks Philippa, Susanne and Kitty, and

 salvors of the ship Helene; (c) John Lindegren and Arnoldus Vanden

 Bergh, claimants, on behalf of the owners, of the said ship Helene

Shoreham and Littlehampton harbours: records

Robinson family, mariners and shipowners, Littlehampton: additional papers and photographs, 19th-20th cent.

Robinson family, mariners and shipowners, Littlehampton: papers and photographs, 19th-20th centuries.

Shoreham harbour: additional records relating to dredgers and log of Middle Pier 1932-49.

Shoreham harbour: coasting bonds 1694-5.