AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 133 



Jewitt, in his History of Plymouth, says — " When a sea- 

 port from which a ship was required for the King's service 

 was too poor to furnish it, the neighbouring towns were 

 ordered to contribute for the purpose. Thus in 1310, when 

 the inhabitants of Dartmouth declared that they were unable 

 to maintain a ship and its crew, orders were sent to the 

 people of Totnes, Brixham, Portlemouth, and Kingsbridge, 

 to assist those of Dartmouth, on the occasion." 



The mention of Portlemouth, rather than Salcombe, has 

 been suggested as " strongly indicative that Portlemouth was 

 more important than Salcombe, in the time of Edward II., 

 and probably the harbour was Portlemouth Harbour rather 

 than Salcombe Harbour at that time."* 



Taking the lane on the right hand of the church at 

 Portlemouth, you pass through the little village of Rickham, 

 and about three-quarters of a mile further on reach the 

 coast-guard station, situated near the top of the fine bold 

 cliffs. The row of houses presents a neat and substantial 

 appearance, and attached to each one is a well-cultivated 

 little plot of garden ground. The rocket apparatus, for 

 saving life from shipwrecks, occupies a detached building 

 close to the flag-staff. 



From the look-out rock a fine sea view is obtained : the 

 Start on the left, and the Bolt Head on the right. 



Iron mines have, until lately, been worked by a company, 

 just beneath the station, the quality of the ore being better 

 than at other portions of the coast. Some little distance on 

 the left is a bold arched rock, always called by the coast- 

 guard " Temple Bar : " it is not approachable by land at 

 any tide. From this rock the jagged outline of the point on 



* So also, Kingswear is said to be of greater antiquity than even 

 Dartmouth. 



