Unusual items that have washed up on Sussex beaches

A pile of washed up timber on Worthing seafront back in January 2008 after the Greek registered ship, Ice Prince, sunk off Dorset

Getty Images A man standing near a pile of timber on a pebbled beach. — A pile of washed up timber on Worthing seafront back in January 2008 after the Greek registered ship, Ice Prince, sunk off Dorset

Containers full of bananas were found on beaches across Sussex this week, but they are not the only unusual cargo to wash up on the county’s shores over the years.

Sixteen containers fell overboard from the Baltic Klipper on Saturday off the Isle of Wight, seven of which were then found on Selsey beach, two at Pagham Harbour and another two at Bognor Regis.

Back in March 1901 a steamship called the Indiana shipwrecked and its cargo of oranges and lemons washed up in East Worthing.

Residents rushed to the beach to collect the fruits and to this day locals throw oranges and lemons on the beach to commemorate the sinking of the Indiana.

In January 2008, authorities closed beaches along the south coast, including Worthing, Ferring and Hastings as well as further afield in Kent, to prevent looters stealing more than 2,000 tonnes of timber which littered the coast.

After the clear-up of the timber found on Worthing beach, authorities arranged for it to be sold

Getty Images A significantly large pile of timber stacked in front of flats on a seafront. — After the clear-up of the timber found on Worthing beach, authorities arranged for it to be sold

Volunteers worked to clean up the mess caused by the containers washed up on Selsey beach

Gavin Jones Large sections of bright green plastic crates, clear plastic wrapping and insulation material are pictured at the stony shoreline at Selsey, which is strewn with blackened bananas. — Volunteers worked to clean up the mess caused by the containers washed up on Selsey beach

Back in April 1919, the people of Hastings were surprised to find a giant German submarine stranded on the beach.

Meanwhile, in January 1980, the Athina B carrying 3,000 tons of pumice and heading towards Shoreham Harbour, suffered an engine failure.

The ship was stuck between the Palace Pier and Banjo Groyne in Brighton.

Clare Trotman, beachwatch officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Unusual items washing up on Sussex beaches could pose risks to our local marine life, especially materials like foam insulation which could break down and be ingested by wildlife.”

Ms Trotman urged residents to avoid direct contact with potentially hazardous items and report them to the local council or coastguards.

“We encourage people to record what they find, including large items or anything in significant numbers, through our beach cleaning programme,” she added.

Volunteers clearing up Bognor Regis beach after two containers were washed up on the shore

Eddie Mitchell A woman in a black coat and green woolly hat is clearing up large foam washed up on a pebbled beach — Volunteers clearing up Bognor Regis beach after two containers were washed up on the shore

“The data will helps us track pollution trends and push for stronger protections for our seas.”

Dean Spears, from Sussex Bay, has also advised residents that any items found from containers should immediately be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck Service.

“Unusual items washing up on Sussex beaches can pose real risks to fragile habitats and marine wildlife,” he added.

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