Weatherfax as opposed to conventional fax machines. Weather maps etc are transmitted by radio to ships at sea and received on weather fax machines such as this:
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Being used less and less now due to satellite comms, but still available.
Unfortunately and with the greatest respect to skipper734, his evidence is flawed. Portsdown Hill and the Nelson Monument lie almost due West from Bear Road. A direct line between the two passes over land the whole way. Whereas plenty of sea can be seen in your photo between you and the Cliffs...
Are the White Cliffs not Culver Down North of Sandown on IOW? I reckon both landmasses are Isle of Wight, but the adjoining section is low lying and cannot be seen.