26 IMPROVED FISHERY HARBOUR ACCOMMODATION 



gales, the Commissioners did not hesitate to say Padstow 

 would make a valuable life harbour for the coasting trade 

 but for the dangerous nature of its entrance in heavy 

 weather." The danger arises from the following local 

 features, for the channel is bounded on the east side by a 

 large extent of sand, called the Doom Bar, and on the 

 west side by steep cliffs. Vessels lose the wind after 

 getting under this land, which also is very baffling, and if 

 late on tide they may be set on the sand and wrecked, 

 without power to anchor and prevent it. 



" A part of the hill which causes the wind to baffle has 

 been lowered, and vessels are thus able to have longer 

 benefit of the wind, so that they can by its aid fetch in 

 seventy fathoms further ; several thousand pounds have 

 been spent in reducing the height of this bluff, and to 

 complete this work, and otherwise improve the Channel 

 to the harbour, ^"40,000 are estimated as requisite." 



" Admiral Washington was very emphatic in his report 

 on this harbour. ' It was the only harbour, he pointed out, 

 in a long line of coast, that offered a depth of 16 ft. at 

 low water, with a rise of 22 ft. at springs, so that there 

 are few vessels which navigate the Channel for which it 

 might not be considered a refuge harbour accessible 

 at all times of tide. This, said the Admiral, was an 

 advantage that no harbour could boast of on this coast 

 from the Land's End to Bristol ; and again on the coast 

 of Wales, from the Severn to Milford Haven, where all are 

 tidal harbours. 5 " 



The writer strongly recommends the further improve- 

 ment of Padstow Harbour, both in the interest of 

 humanity and in regard to the fisheries, for boats or 

 vessels which find themselves to leeward of St. Ives may 

 fetch into Padstow. 



