Old Vintage Photos of Charlestown, Cornwall

I have mentioned in previous posts how little Charlestown in Cornwall has changed over the years. To confirm this I have dug out a few old photos, like the one above.

The old Dock, as the picture is described, remains virtually as it was in Georgian times. I snapped the photo below a couple of weeks back to show the likeness.

In 1790 this was a small fishing village known as Porthmear, just nine fishermen and their families were resident. Charles Rashleigh though, saw other possibilities

Copper, and later china clay, needed to be exported from the local area so he decided to build a harbour, with the help of a few friends including John Smeaton, well known for constructing lighthouses and harbours.

The harbour and port were constructed between 1791 and 1801. 

Eventually, under Rashleigh's guidance, a village was also developed around the harbour. The name was changed from Porthmear to Charlestown in honour of Rashleigh. There is also now a pub and hotel called the Rashleigh Arms, owned by St.Austell Brewery.

Business boomed 40,000 tones of copper ore were exported between 1810 and 1813.

The photo above (1900) and below (1880) show how the port was once filled with sailing ships ready for transporting goods.

Unfortunately the harbour finally became too small for modern shipping and the last load of china clay left the dock in 2000.

The dock (or port) is separated from the main harbour by a gate, first constructed in 1799, as shown in the photo above. This means there are often differing levels of water between the dock and the harbour, depending on the tide.

The dock behind the gate is topped up with water via a seven mile leat running from Luxulyan Valley to Charlestown. This is still in operation today.

The harbour gates are only opened at, or around, high tide.

Today Charlestown is very much a tourist destination and is popular during the summer season. It's fame has spread because the harbour has been used for filming the likes of the very popular Poldark television series and for various movies.

The tall ship in the photo above is the Kajsamoor used in Poldark and can usually be found moored at Charlestown. 

See also:
A Stroll Around Poldark's Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall - 12 Photos