This card, published by Walter James Drewett, shows the bridge from the south and is one of many views of the locale that he took. It features his characteristic spidery writing in the title and probably dates between 1900 and 1914.

Day boats from Arundel or Littlehampton on their return journey are approaching, and there is a moored barge, albeit empty, which suggests that traffic to the pit may still be operating,

A small dog running along the towpath on the far left is blurred by the relatively slow shutter speed of the camera.

Postcards of these craft loading or departing Littlehampton were common during the 1920s and 1930s when most visitors to the town seem to have indulged in this activity. However, pictures of them at their destination are unusual. This card by an unidentified publisher shows three craft, the Nancy Lee, Lady Nancy and Britannia near the Bridge Inn. There is no date or text but it’s likely to be from the 1920s.

A carousel is visible in the background, possibly part of a travelling fair, so maybe this is the reason for the boat trip.

Please click here for more on Britannia and the Other Trip Boats page for more information on the Nancy fleet.