Shadow ships
A new sculpture for Shoreham-by-Sea and Coronation Green.
Hello, we are Peter Hudson and Dawn Parsonage from Light Space Color . We are very pleased to have been commissioned by Adur District Council using Section 106 development funds, to create a sculpture for Coronation Green in Shoreham-by-Sea.
We would love your help. Please find a selection of possible ships and boats for the Shadow Ships sculpture for you to make your own choice from. Your vote helps us to gauge opinion and to really understand which ships and boats are most important to local people in Shoreham-by-Sea.
Please click the VOTE HERE button and select your FOUR preferred options. You can find out more about each ship by scrolling down on this page. The project itself on our website (details found on the reverse of this leaflet). You can drop your vote into the Shoreham Centre or Shoreham Library reception, or cast your vote online. The votes will be counted on the 2nd Jan 2026.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with the project so far, to the incredible historians, enthusiasts and residents of Shoreham and you for taking the time to vote.
The Seal of Shoreham - 1208
In 1208 New Shoreham was made into a Royal Port by King John and a new official seal was created. At the time Shoreham was known as Hulkesmouth – a Hulk being a name for a ship. So, featuring a ship in the seal is fitting. Shoreham was also one of the largest shipbuilding centres in the country at the time and an important port. The brother of the king, Richard, even moored his galleys here.
The Surprise - 1651
Small Coal Brig
30-35 tons
30ft
A small coal brig with a big history for Shoreham. In 1651 the future monarch Charles II was fleeing the Roundheads, and he escaped and left for France from Shoreham itself. In 1690 when the monarchy was restored and Charles II became King, he showed his gratitude to the Surprise and had it refitted and renamed The Escape. It then also entered the Royal Navy, the smallest naval ship by far at the time.
The King's gratefulness continued. The person who owned and sailed the Brigg, Nicolas Tettersell, was later made a captain in the Navy and granted a pension.
The Dolphin - 1627
Pinnace
120 tons
Authorised Privateer
A real-life pirate ship from Shoreham, whose legacy has echoes today. The Dolphin was built in Shoreham not far from Coronation Green. Its Captain William Scras(e), was also from Shoreham. He had a Letter of Marque from the King allowing him to be an authorised Privateer, essentially a pirate. He was very successful, during one month he took seven Dutch ships and then went on to take a French barque laden with sixty chests of sugar, which was very valuable at the time.
Some sources say that in later years the Dolphin’s hull was turned upside down and tarred to create a building. This could be the origin of Dolphin Lane in Shoreham. In the 20th century, a soap which was manufactured on the lane was named after it - Dolphin Soap. And many people locally can still remember the stench of the soap works.
HMS SHOREHAM - 1693
Frigate - warship
Built - Shoreham-by-sea, Thomas Ellis.
A proud namesake of the town it was built in, which went on to fight in famous battles, and defeat pirates. With 32 cannons over two decks the ship has a varied and full history. A year after it was built it was part of the Battle of Camaret Bay. An intense sea battle against France, where Fireships were used. The Battle of Camaret Bay was an Allied attempt to land in Brittany and seize Brest, but the huge invading forces (English and Dutch) were crushed by the small defensive forces of France before it could even begin.
Over the years it had many battles with privateers (pirates) and managed to take four pirate ships in its lifetime. One huge 10 hour battle occurred in Virginia, where the governor of Virginia came aboard to aid the battle and wrote:
“The pyrate immediately hoisted a red jack ensign and a broad pennant and returned my thanks” .
THE LONDON - 1764
London was a British merchant ship, built in Shoreham in 1764. She was wrecked near Ilfracombe on 9 October 1796 on a voyage from Saint Lucia bringing French prisoners of war. 40 souls were lost, including those of local people who had come to assist.
When France declared war on Britain in 1793, the conflict extended to their overseas colonies. In the eastern Caribbean, the French Republic had previously freed individuals who had been enslaved by Britain. These men subsequently joined the French military and fought against British forces. A total of 2,080 of these soldiers and their dependents—including 99 women and children—were captured by the British and transported to Portchester Castle, Hampshire, where they were held as prisoners of war.
Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour after months of sailing across the Atlantic, the prisoners were faced with a new life in an unfamiliar landscape. They spent up to 2 years at the castle but were permitted to trade with the locals and live with their families. Most were sent to France in exchange for British prisoners, and their descendants are likely to live there to this day.
OSMAN PACHA - 1878
Square Rigged, barque rigged vessel, Clipper
Three‑masted oak barque
Built - A. Dyer & Sons
The last tall ship to be built in Shoreham. The Osman Pacha marks the end of an era which spanned hundreds of years, a symbol of the peak and decline of Shoreham’s wooden shipbuilding industry, but also the skill and craftsmanship of the town’s shipbuilders. Shoreham specialised in wooden ships powered by sails but the world was moving towards larger iron ships propelled by steam.
It was the end of an era and symbolised the changes in ships being built. Built originally for the West Indian trade she had an idol life to begin with. Osman Pacha was launched in February 1878.
The owner, Mr. Goodchild died just one month before launch and the vessel formed part of his estate. This meant the start of its life was stilted, waiting 11 years with various owners to be set to work at sea.
But in 1892 after only 3 years at sea, it left Brisbane loaded with coal, she sailed via a route north of Australia, through Torres Strait to avoid adverse winds and currents. On 21 April 1892 she was reported passing Goode Island (Torres Strait). Sadly this is the last confirmed report of Osman Pacha. After that, nothing. She was never heard of again.
In June 1892 a lifebuoy believed to be from Osman Pacha washed up on the outer reefs of Mauritius, this led to the presumption that the ship foundered in a typhoon in the Indian Ocean off Mauritius and lost all hands.
MISTLETOE TUG - 1878
Wooden Paddle Steam Tug
A beautiful Steam Tug, a working boat of the port, and a daily sight in its time. The Mistletoe was a much loved wooden paddle steam tug. Mistletoe began working in Shoreham Port in the 1870s. And worked alongside the larger tug Stella. In 1902 the Mistletoe sank in a storm, with the skipper, Captain Brazier, sadly being lost.The wreckage of the Mistletoe was washed up on the beach east of the harbour entrance.
TALLY HO - 1910
Gaff-rigged cutter
Built - Shoreham-by-sea, Stow of Shoreham
Designed by - Albert Strange
Stow of Shoreham were builders of beautiful yachts and were located right next to Coronation Green, where the Yacht Club now sits. They were a big part of Shoreham for 70 years. The Tally Ho itself has been restored and rebuilt by Leo Sampson and is currently sailing the world. In 1927 it won the Fastnet Race, and Leo is hoping to enter it into the same race 100 years later in 2027. A stunning, living example of quality shipbuilding in Shoreham.
Yerba Buena - 1920
Houseboat - Decommissioned military speedboat - CMB 104MT, 2 Thornycroft Y24 engines, capable of 36 knots.
Built by Gosport, Camper & Nicholson.
A decommissioned military vessel, transformed into a houseboat. It was home to many people over the years and is an iconic example of the famed houseboats of Shoreham. The unique shape of the Yerba Buena gave it the nickname the Green Submarine but it was in fact a WW1 designed speedboat completed in 1920 and used for cloak and dagger operations in WW2.
At one point it was rumoured to be owned by the pilot Amy Johnson
HOUSEBOATS
The houseboats of Shoreham have a long and eclectic history. They have been found on the banks since the early 20th century, when it became a haven for people seeking alternative and affordable homes.
Many of the houseboats are repurposed, and have had previous lives as barges, fishing boats, with many being decommissioned military vessels including twelve former Royal Navy Coastal Forces craft.
Speedwell - 1926
Houseboat - Yacht.
The Speedwell was the first houseboat in Shoreham.
Between the wars the Bailey family lived on the “Speedwell”, a converted yacht. In 1926 it was moored at Shoreham‑by‑Sea and became the first houseboat in what would later become Shoreham’s houseboat community.
“My father had been in the Merchant Navy and created a happy home out of that yacht. Both my parents loved their time there as it provided a very carefree life – little housework to do but cooking and washing weren’t easy as Mother only had a methylated spirit stove to heat water.” Peggy Bailey, remembering her childhood on the houseboat Speedwell, as recorded by NELSON at shorehambysea.com.
Verda - 1929
Houseboat - formerly a Portsmouth ferry
Reimagined in 1993
The Verda is an iconic part of the Adur, a houseboat seemingly from a different world but in fact the imaginings and hard work of Hamish McKenzie. An old Gosport to Portsmouth ferry, it is now a colourful medley of the original ship, psychedelic patterns, abstract windows and yes… a bus.
DENEB - 2014
The pilots have always been an essential part of the working port. They travel out to ships who want to come into port, and no matter the type of ship, they climb aboard and guide them in with the Captain. In the past they would row to the ships, but today they have a modern engine powered boat, but through time the way that the Pilots boat the ships has remained the same - a ladder. A dangerous and skilled job, which to this day claims 7-8 lives a year across the world.
Modern FIshing Boat - 2025
A celebration of the fishing industry of Shoreham. Working with the community we will chose a boat still used for fishing today which represents Shoreham’s fishing industry, its importance and its stories.