Harbour Inn Sign Porthleven Cornwall
by Terri Waters
Title
Harbour Inn Sign Porthleven Cornwall
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph
Description
The Harbour Inn Porthleven Cornwall is a lively pub situated on the east side of the harbour.
In 1812 there were two public houses in Porthleven, the Ship Inn at Breageside and the Fishmongers' Arms on the other side of the harbour where the Bickford Smith Institute now stands. Around this period the building of another Inn commenced on the site of the present day Harbour Inn.
Porthleven harbour, one of the most southerly ports in England was developed in the early 19th century as a safe harbour for ships caught in stormy seas. There are relics of shipwreks to be found in the harbour today including the two canon recovered from the 44 gun frigate HMS Anson which went down near Loe Bar in 1807 reportedly drowning 130 people. The two canons can be seen on the quayside.
The construction of Porthleven harbour was a major enginering achievement involving French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars. One of these prisoners is said to haunt the Ship Inn. The granite pier and quays were constucted by 1825 but it was still an open harbour. The harbour was purchased in 1855 by Harvey and Co of Hayle in Cornwall, who built the inner harbour which was completed in 1858. The huge timbers (baulk) that seal the inner harbour in storms are still in use today.
Today the importance of the Port has diminished but local fishing boats, leisure boats, angling and coastal trips operate from Porthleven harbour.
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Artists Best Five Artwork Group 11/10/2013
Uploaded
September 7th, 2013
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