The wood started being seen on Saturday, January 19, 2008, and by the following morning Worthing’s beach was covered. The incident remains one of the most astonishing seafront sights in recent memory.
The timber had come from the stricken ship Ice Prince and the resulting phenomenon on the beach attracted visitors from far and wide.
These pictures tell the tale of a seaside story the people of Worthing and the surrounding area will not forget in a hurry.
1. 2,000 tons of timber in 2008
The Ice Prince had run into difficulty off Dorset on January 14, 2008 Photo: Stephen Goodger
2. 2,000 tons of timber in 2008
The wood that washed up five days later forced the closure of Worthing's beach Photo: Stephen Goodger
3. 2,000 tons of timber in 2008
Piles of wood stretched for miles along the shore Photo: Stephen Goodger
4. 2,000 tons of timber in 2008
A bird's eye view of the wood between Worthing Pier and the Lido Photo: Stephen Goodger