Shipwreck cargo ended up in grand seaside building

The Surrey Convalescent Home was designed by the Manx architect Ewan Christian. Christian was born on the Isle of Man in 1814 and during his long career designed 40 new churches, one of the first being St Peter's at Offham just north of Lewes. He was a prolific architect who also designed more than 400 vicarages, including that of Bishopstone. As the consulting architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners he commented on the designs of more than 200 church buildings a year giving detailed suggestions on alterations. He was also the consulting architect to the charity commissioners and a president of the Royal Institute of British Architects. (RIBA) Perhaps his grandest project was the design of the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Work on the Surrey Convalescent Home started in 1888 and on Christmas Eve that year a schooner called the Mary Davis was wrecked on the beach between Seaford Head and the Martello Tower. The ship had developed a leak and the crew (which, apart from the master, Richard Davies, consisted of just one man and one boy) was not able pump out enough water to keep her stable and she failed to make it to the safety of Newhaven Harbour.

This shipwreck was most fortunate for the builders of the new convalescent home as the cargo was a consignment of Portland Stone which was en-route to London. This stone was salvaged and was purchased by the builders for just 20 and incorporated into the stairs and landings of the new building. The dignified design of the building was similar to some of the Seaford schools. It had plenty of large windows to capture the seaside sunshine and four stacks of Tudor-style chimneys. The home was finally opened in 1891 and was situated on a nine acre site then known as Clinton Park.

The home was built for 63 recuperating male patients from across the county of Surrey to give them a few weeks of fresh sea air. The building overlooked the sea and was a short walk along the drive to the beach but for those who couldn't manage the walk a small donkey cart was provided, pulled by Joey who became quite a favourite of the patients.

The Surrey Convalescent Home provided care facilities until 1966 when it was closed. The building was sold in July that year for 25,000 and was soon demolished for redevelopment. Surrey Road and Jevington Drive are now on the site of this grand seaside home.

KEVIN GORDON