Smuggling. It is the round tower seen in the view with windows, and was used by the Blockade Men when watching for smugglers.
It overlooked the "America Ground," and was removed for building operations about 1835. This Watch House was the property of the Corporation, and was let to the Commissioners of Customs.
The Eastern Watch House and Searcher's Office was on the stade, near the present harbour.
The first Rope Walk was along the beach where Carlisle Parade is, and afterwards further inland where Robertson Street is. It was in the hands of Messrs. Breeds, (see plan of Derelict Lands). The late Mr. John Banks, in his " Smugglers and Smuggling," describes this in his recollections of old Hastings, as " One house near the top of White Rock." It is a rare view, and the house is not found in any of the many later ones of White Rock. This spot was sketched by at least a dozen delineators before the Rock was removed in 1834-5, for the building of Stratford Place, now called White Rock (see page 227).
In Diplock's Handbook for Hastings and St. Leonards, published 1846, issued from his Royal Marine Library, formerly Barry's, at the West end of George Street, there appears 135 tradesmen's advertisements, but Robertson Street is not mentioned. Here are some whose names are familiar to old inhabitants : Rock and Son, Coach Builders, 6, Stratford Place (now Hedley Williams, Draper, White Rock) ; Thomas Mann, Picture Frame Maker, 34, High Street (late of Claremont) ; C. J. Womersley, Cabinet Maker and Auctioneer, York House, now York Buildings John Eaton, Auctioneer, 39, High Street ; Ann Golding, Fruiterer, 10, George Street ; Wellerd and Son, Butchers, 63, George Street ; H. and R. Dunk, Grocers, 12, Castle Street ; Will Ginner, Coal and Porter Merchant and Ship Agent, High Street ; J. and G. Amoore, Grocers, 57, High Street ; Alfred Amoore, Grocer, Castle Street ; Deudney and Hurst, Brewers, White Rock Brewery ; Thomas Breeds and Co., Coal Merchants, Brewers, and Shippers, 61, High Street ; J. and C. Burfield, Brewers, 1, George Street ; W. Amoore, Junior, Eagle Brewery, Courthouse Street ; T. Brown, Wine Merchant, 18, Pelham Arcade; C. F. Mott, Wine Merchant, 10, Breeds Place (now Mastin Bros., Drapers) ; John Reeves, Bootmaker, 27, George Street ; J. and T. H. Spencer, Furnishers, 58, High Street ; C. H. Gausden, Tailor, 48, Marina ; Duke and Son, Breeches Makers, 74 and 75, High Street ; Shirley, Hairdresser, 40, George Street ; R. Styles, Linen Draper, 1, Wellington Place (now Metcalf and Kirkpatrick) ; H. C. Lea, Chemist, 66, High Street ; Charles Amoore, Chemist, Castle Street ; W. Pollard, Bookbinder, 20, High Street ; Hill. Royal Pelham Library, Pelham Place Cooper's (formerly Powell's) ; Royal Marine Library ; J. and F. Hoad, Post Master, Swan Mews, High Street W. Carswell, Swan Hotel ; W. Chamberlain, Royal Victoria and St. Leonards Hotel W. L. Yates, Royal Oak Hotel ; C. P. Hutchings, Marine Hotel (now part of Cinema de Luxe) ;
