The Grampound Times
Easter 2007 (Edition 44)
Our community in Cornwall
Some lost ports hereabouts
There are so many interesting places to explore in this part of the world and the most fascinating seem to be the many small ports which have become inadequate, very often due to the silting up as a result of waste from tin workings, etc.
Take TINTAGEL - this seems most surprising since the cliffs are sheer. Slate used to be quarried nearby also a working mine and vessels were beached in the cove to be loaded. Archaeologists now believe that Tintagel was a Dark Age stronghold not a monastery as was previously thought - even ships from the Mediterranean landed cargoes of wine and oil near the ‘ Iron Gate’.
WADEBRIDGE too, used to be quite a busy port. It also had the second steam railway in the country in 1833 but due to the many changes since it is difficult to remember Wadebridge was even a port.
NEWQUAY. The original medieval harbour was in use in 1396 but only as a harbour of refuge. A Newquay was built in the mid 16 th century, developed in the early 1800’s when a horse drawn tramway was put into use. But in 1876 a shortage of mineral traffic led to the railway being opened to passengers which led to the growth of Newquay as a tourist resort.
PADSTOW ’s importance has been historically variable. Possibly in the period after the departure of the Romans the level of trade was significant and the town claims its origin from that time. From the middle ages trade increased encompassing many types of goods. In the late 19 th century trade gradually fell away but now there are strenuous efforts to make the port viable again with steady dredging etc., so Padstow is no longer a ‘lost’ port but is rapidly re-finding itself.
GWEEK. It is rather surprising to learn that Gweek is one of Britain’s most ancient ports, trading tin to Spain in 450BC, and the Roman camp remains nearby suggest it was still in use in Roman times. Apart from its exports in the 1860’s a successful pilchard factory was established but it all seems such a long time ago when one now thinks of the famous seal sanctuary today.
CHARLESTOWN. The St. Austell area in the late 18 th century suddenly acquired great industrial significance, mines were booming and the new china clay industry grew almost out of nothing. There being no harbour, only open beach Charles Rashleigh seized this opportunity and built Charlestown in twenty years. The port is still there almost as originally built but its great days are gone. The Square Sail Company is now committed to preserving the character of the village and waterside, and its future looks secure, especially with the Shipwrect Museum to visit and a walk around the tiny harbour to enjoy.
BETTY MURDOCH
© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council